US20080249363A1 - Electric connector for endoscope, endoscope, and method for assembling electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric connector for an endoscope, an endoscope, and a method for assembling an electric connector which make it possible to simplify work operations such as operation checks and repairs of the endoscope, as well as to reduce the time for the work operations. An endoscope in accordance with the present invention has an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and having an electric connector at a proximal end thereof. The endoscope has a cable wire which is inserted through the endoscope and extends from the electric connector toward a distal end and a connector to which an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2006/300459 filed on Jan. 16, 2006 and claims the benefit of Japanese Applications No. 2005-009476 filed in Japan on Jan. 17, 2005 and No. 2005-112459 filed in Japan on Apr. 8, 2005, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by their reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to an electric connector for an endoscope that connects the endoscope to an external instrument to be combined with the endoscope for use, an endoscope, and a method for assembling the electric connector.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• An electric connector to which a plurality of cable wires are connected is generally used to electrically connect various electronic instruments together. An electronic endoscope apparatus, an electronic instrument in medical fields, has an electronic endoscope containing a solid image pickup device (hereinafter simply referred to as a CCD) that is inserted into the body cavity to pick up images of the body cavity, and a video processor as an external instrument that executes predetermined signal processing on image pickup signals obtained by the electronic endoscope to generate endoscope video signals. The electronic endoscope and the video processor are connected together by an electric connector to which a plurality of cable wires for the transmission and reception of various signals and the supply of driving power are connected.
• For example, Japanese Patent No. 2902654 proposes an electric connector used for electronic endoscope apparatuses. The electric connector proposed in Japanese Patent No. 2902654 will be described with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11.
• First, the concept of the configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus will be described with reference toFIG. 10. Anelectronic endoscope apparatus101 is composed of anelectronic endoscope102, alight source device103, avideo processor106, and amonitor107.
• Theelectronic endoscope102 comprises an elongate,flexible insertion portion108 for insertion into the body cavity, anoperation portion109 provided on a proximal end of theinsertion portion108 and which is grasped and operated by an operator, and auniversal cord110 as a connection cable which extends from theoperation portion109. Theinsertion portion108, theoperation portion109, and theuniversal cord110 each contain alight guide111 and acable wire112. One end of thelight guide111 is located at a distal end portion of theinsertion portion108. The other end of thelight guide111 is connected to thelight source device103 by ascope connector113 provided at a proximal end portion of theuniversal cord110. One end of thecable wire112 is connected to aCCD115 located at a focal position of anobjective lens114 provided at a distal end of theinsertion portion108 and to a part having a predetermined function, such as a switch described below. The other end of thecable wire112 is connected to anelectric connector120 provided in thescope connector113.
• Although not shown, theoperation portion109 has a bending operation knob that bendably operates a bending portion provided at the distal end portion of theinsertion portion108, a treatment instrument insertion opening through which a treatment instrument is inserted into a treatment instrument channel in theinsertion portion108, and image processing system switches such as a release switch, a freeze switch, and enhance switch which are used to drivingly control theCCD115 to manipulate motion pictures, still images, and the like.
• Further, theoperation portion109 has an air and water feeding button used to feed air or water to the surface of theobjective lens114, located at the distal end portion of theinsertion portion108, a suction button used to suck feculence or water out of the body cavity, and a water forward feeding button used to feed forward cleaning water used to clean the interior of the body cavity. The image processing system switches, provided in theoperation portion109, are connected to thevideo processor106 via theelectric connector120, provided in thescope connector113 of theuniversal cord110.
• The air and water feeding pump, which feeds air and water, is provided in thelight source device103. A suction pump for suction and a water forward feeding pump for water forward feeding are separately provided from thelight source device103. These pumps perform air and water feeding, suction, and water forward feeding.
• Thelight source device103 has alight source lamp116, acondensing lens117 that condenses illumination light from thelight source lamp116 to allow the light to enter an input end of thelight guide111, located in thescope connector113, a lighting and dimming control circuit (not shown) for thelight source lamp116, and the above pumps.
• Thevideo processor106 is a signal processing device (thevideo processor106 is hereinafter also referred to as the signal processing device) having adrive circuit104 that drivingly controls theCCD115, provided at the distal end of theinsertion portion108 of theelectronic endoscope102, and asignal processing circuit105 that processes image pickup signals photoelectrically converted by theCCD115 to generate endoscope video signals. Thelight source device103 and thevideo processor106 are integrally formed.
• Themonitor107 displays endoscope images corresponding to video signals processed by thesignal processing circuit105 in thevideo processor106.
• Thescope connector113, provided at the proximal end of theuniversal cord110, has theelectric connector120 which connects an incident end of thelight guide111 to thelight source device103 and to which the other end of thecable wire112 in theelectronic endoscope102 is connected, as described above.
• Theelectric connector120 couples to aconnection plug122 connected to one end of aconnection cord121 comprising a plurality of cables for connection to thevideo processor106, serving as an external instrument used in combination with theelectronic endoscope102.
• Aconnection plug123 similar to theconnection plug122 is provided at the other end of theconnection cord121. Theconnection plug123 is coupled to anelectric connector124 provided in thevideo processor106. Theelectric connector124, provided in thevideo processor106, has a configuration substantially similar to that of theelectric connector120, described above.
• That is, theelectric connector120 connects to thecable wire112 comprising a signal wire that connects theCCD115, provided at the distal end portion of theinsertion portion108, to thevideo processor106 in order to transmit and receive a CCD driving control signal, an image pickup signal, a driving power supply, and the like, a signal wire that connects the image processing system switches, provided on theoperation portion109, to thevideo processor106, and a signal wire that connects thelight source device103 to thevideo processor106 to allow thevideo processor106 to perform dimming control on thelight source device103. Theelectric connector120 also couples to aconnection plug122 of theconnection cord121 for connection to thevideo processor106.
• Theelectric connector120, provided in thescope connector113, will be described with reference toFIG. 11. Theelectric connector124, provided in thevideo processor106, has a configuration substantially similar to that of theelectric connector120 of thescope connector113 except for the pin configuration, water-tight structure, and the like. Accordingly, the description of theelectric connector124 is omitted.
• Theelectric connector120 has acylindrical base131 including aflange132 provided around the outer periphery of thebase131 for threadable attachment to thescope connector113. A cylindricalinsulating frame135 is fitted into the inner periphery of thebase131. Acylindrical guide member136 is further fitted into the cylindricalinsulating frame135. An engaging projection provided on the inner periphery of a proximal end of aguide member136 has acover member138, and aninsulator139 and acircuit board141 fixed via acircuit board fastener142 to a rear surface of thecover member138 so that theinsulator139 lies on top of thecircuit board141. Theguide member136 is fixedly positioned by a positioningpin143 engagingly fitted into thebase131 and the cylindricalinsulating frame135. A water-tight packing is interposed between the outer periphery of thecircuit board fastener142 and the inner periphery of the proximal end of thebase131. Acylindrical shield frame145 is threadably attached to the proximal end of thecircuit board fastener142. Ashield member146 is fixedly attached to the proximal end of theshield frame145 and has an opening in which thecable wire112 is inserted. Thecable wire112 is placed in the opening in theshield member146. Thecable wire112, caught in acushion member147, is fixed to ashield member146 via acable fastening plate148 and ascrew149.
• Solid wire pins152 that are a plurality of solid wire terminals,coaxial pins154 that are a plurality of coaxial terminals, and apost pin153 penetrate thecover member138,insulator139, andcircuit board141, provided inside the proximal end of theguide member136.Solid wires155 constituting thecable wire112 are connected to thesolid wire pins152. A core wire and a shield wire of acoaxial wire156 constituting thecable wire112 are connected to thecoaxial pins154. The core wire of thecoaxial wire156 may be connected to one of thesolid wire pins152, while the shield wire may be connected to anothersolid wire pin152. Thepost pin153 releases static electricity generated when an operator's hand or the like touches any pin.
• Moreover, each of thecover member138, theinsulator139, and thecircuit board141 has avent161 that penetrates each of thecover member138, theinsulator139, and thecircuit board141. A permeable waterproof sheet through which air is passed but not any liquid is attached to thevent161.
• Thesolid wires155, connected to thesolid wire pins152, each have a core wire around which an insulating coating is provided. Each of thecoaxial wires156, connected to thecoaxial pins154, comprises a core wire around which an insulating coating is provided and a shield wire which is located around the outer periphery of the insulating coating of the core wire and around which an insulating coating is further provided. Each of thesolid wire pins152 are basically formed only of a pin to which the core wire of thesolid wire155 is connected. Further, each of thecoaxial pins154 comprises a core wire portion and a shield portion which are insulated and isolated from each other and to which the core wire and shield wire, respectively, of thecoaxial wire156 are connected.
• Theconnection plug122 of theconnection cord121, installed on theelectric connector120 configured as described above, has a pin receiver into which thesolid wire pin152 and thecoaxial pin154 are inserted.
• Theconnection plug122 of theconnection cord121 connected to thevideo processor106 is coupled to theelectric connector120 provided in thescope connector113 to electrically connect theelectronic endoscope102 to thevideo processor106. This allows the supply of driving power to theCCD115 and the transmission and reception of image pickup signals, various image processing system control signals, and the like. Moreover, thelight source device103 and thevideo processor106 are electrically connected together to allow thevideo processor106 to perform dimming control and the like.
• To remove or replace, for repair, any part of theelectronic endoscope102 using theelectric connector120 configured as described, the following operation is performed. Thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 and the coaxial pins154. Action such as part replacement which is required for the repair is taken. An end of thecable wire112 is connected back to the solid wire pins152 and the coaxial pins154.
• For example, to remove, from theelectronic endoscope102 including theCCD115, an image pickup unit of theelectronic endoscope102 which provides functions for image pickup, the image pickup unit and thecable wire112 connected to the image pickup unit are removed from theelectronic endoscope102.
• Further, to remove any of the electric switches such as the image processing system switches, provided on theoperation portion109, from theelectronic endoscope102 for replacement owing to a defect in the electric switch, that electric switch and thecable wire112 connected to the electric switch are removed from theelectronic endoscope102.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An electric connector for an endoscope in accordance with the present invention is provided on a connection cable extending from an operation portion of the endoscope and electrically connects a cable wire extending from the operation portion of the endoscope to an external instrument for use in combination with the endoscope. The electric connector has a circuit board having a connection member that is electrically connected to the external instrument and a connector to which a cable wire connector connected to an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.
• An endoscope in accordance with the present invention has an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion, and a connection cable extending from the operation portion and including an electric connector for connection to an external instrument. The endoscope comprises a cable wire connector provided at an end portion of the cable wire extending from the operation portion and inserted through the connection cable, and a circuit board having a connection member provided in the electric connector and electrically connected to the external instrument and a connector to which the cable wire connector is releasably connected.
• The present invention provides a method for assembling an electric connector which is provided on a connection cable extending from an operation portion of an endoscope and which comprises a circuit board having a first circuit board portion and a second circuit board portion and comprising a flexible circuit board bent so that the first circuit board portion and the second circuit board portion at least partly overlap each other as viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first circuit board portion, the circuit board having a connection member electrically connected to an external instrument and a connector to which a cable wire connector connected to an end portion of a cable wire extending from the operation portion of the endoscope is releasably connected. The method comprises a first circuit board portion connecting step of inserting the connection member into a hole portion formed in the first circuit board portion to connect the connection member to a land provided around a periphery of the hole portion of the first circuit board portion, a second circuit board portion connecting step of bending the circuit board to insert the connection member projecting from the first circuit board portion into the hole portion formed in the second circuit board portion to connect the connection member to the land provided around the periphery of the hole portion of the second circuit board portion, and a cable wire connector installing step of installing the cable wire connector in the connector of the circuit board.
• An endoscope in accordance with the present invention has an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and including an electric connector at a proximal end portion. The endoscope comprises a first cable wire having one end connected to the electric connector and extending into the operation portion, a second cable wire having one end connected to an image pickup portion provided in the insertion portion or an electric switch provided on the operation portion, the second cable wire extending into the operation portion, and a connection member to which the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire together are electrically and releasably connected.
• An endoscope in accordance with the present invention has an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and including an electric connector at a proximal end portion. The endoscope has a signal wire for insertion into the endoscope, the signal wire extending from the electric connector toward a distal end and comprising a cable wire and a connector to which an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of an electric connector for an endoscope in accordance with a first embodiment;
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing that a connector circuit board is mounted in a shield frame of the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 3A is a plan view of a front surface of the connector circuit board with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 3B is a plan view of a back surface of the connector circuit board with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a solid wire pin and a coaxial pin which are used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the positional relationship between the solid wire pins and the coaxial pins and the connector circuit board, which are used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a cable wire connector used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of a first variation of the cable wire connector used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second variation of the cable wire connector used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating how signal wires are connected to and installed on the connector in accordance with the second variation of the cable wire connector used in the electric connector in accordance with the first embodiment;
• FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of the configuration of a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus;
• FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of an electric connector for a conventional endoscope;
• FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the general configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment;
• FIG. 13 is a diagram showing connections between an image pickup portion and an electric connector-and signal wires in accordance with the second embodiment;
• FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connection member that connects the image pickup portion to the electric connector in accordance with the second embodiment;
• FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view showing an electric switch fixed to an operation portion in accordance with the second embodiment;
• FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connection member that connects the electric switch to the electric connector in accordance with the second embodiment;
• FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view illustrating the connection between the electric switch and the connection member in accordance with the second embodiment;
• FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of a metal housing in which the connection member in accordance with the second embodiment is housed;
• FIG. 19 is a partial sectional view showing how the connection member in accordance with the second embodiment is housed in the metal housing;
• FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a variation of the connection member in accordance with the second embodiment; and
• FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view showing how the connection member in accordance with the second embodiment is housed in the metal housing.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONFirst Embodiment
• An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
• Anelectric connector10 for an endoscope in accordance with the present embodiment corresponds to theelectric connector120 for theelectronic endoscope102 described above with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. That is, as described above with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, theelectric connector10 is provided in thescope connector113 located at the proximal end of theuniversal cord110 extending from theoperation portion109 and serving as a connection cable. Theelectric connector10 couples to theconnection plug122 of theconnection cord121 for connection to thevideo processor106.
• With reference toFIG. 1, description will be given of the configuration of the electric connector for the endoscope in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of the electric connector for the endoscope.
• Theelectric connector10 for the endoscope in accordance with the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the electric connector) has a cylindrically formedbase11 to which theconnection plug122 provided at the end portion of theconnection cord121 described above is coupled. Aflange12 for threadable attachment to thescope connector113 or the like is provided around the outer periphery of thebase11. An engaging projectingportion13 is provided at a proximal end of the inner periphery of thebase11. A generallycircular cover member14 abuts against the engaging projectingportion13. Aninsulator15 formed of an insulating member is located on a rear surface of thecover member14. Moreover, acircuit board16 is located on a rear surface of theinsulator15. Thecover member14, theinsulator15, and thecircuit board16 are adhesively fixed to one another. Thecover member14, theinsulator15, and thecircuit board16 are penetrated by a solid wire pin serving as a solid wire terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a solid wire pin)23, a coaxial pin serving as a coaxial terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a coaxial pin)24, and apost pin25, described later. A packing17 is interposed between the inner periphery of thebase11 and the outer periphery of theinsulator15. Further, a packing18 is interposed between theinsulator15 and the vicinity of the outer periphery of thecircuit board16. That is, thecover member14, theinsulator15, and thecircuit board16 are adhesively fixed to the inner periphery of thebase11 via thepackings17 and18 in a water-tight manner.
• Acylindrical shield frame19 formed of a conductive shield member is provided on an outer peripheral surface side of a rear surface of thecircuit board16. A distal end of theshield frame19 is threadably fixed to a proximal end of the base11 using a screw (not shown) or an external thread formed on the outer periphery of the distal end. Fixing theshield frame19 to the proximal end of the base11 electrically contacts theshield frame19 with a ground potential pattern (not shown) provided on that side of the outer periphery of thecircuit board16 which contacts theshield frame19; the ground potential pattern is further connected to thebase11 via theshield frame19. That is, thebase11, the ground potential pattern of thecircuit board16, and theshield frame19 are electrically connected together.
• Ashield cap20 formed of a shield member having an opening20athrough which acable wire29 is inserted is threadably attached to a proximal end of theshield frame19. Thecable wire29 is inserted into the opening20aof theshield cap20. Moreover, thecable wire29 is fixed to theshield cap20 by a cablewire fastening plate21 containing acushion member21afixedly attached to thecable wire29 via ascrew22.
• Thecable wire29 is the same as acable wire112 described above with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. That is, one end of thecable wire29 is electrically connected to an electric part or an electronic part (hereinafter simply referred to as an electric part) which is provided in theinsertion portion108 or theoperation portion109 and which has a predetermined function.
• More specifically, thecable wire29 comprises a scopeconnector signal wire30a,an operationportion signal wire30b,and an insertionportion signal wire30c.To allow avideo processor106 to control alight source device103, the scopeconnector signal wire30ais composed of a signal wire integrated into thescope connector113 to electrically connect thevideo processor106 to thelight source device103. The operationportion signal wire30bis composed of a plurality of signal wires electrically connected to electric parts such as image processing system switches provided on theoperation portion109. Further, the insertionportion signal wire30cis composed of a plurality of signal wires electrically connected to electric parts such as aCCD115 provided at distal end portion of theinsertion portion108. Here, the insertionportion signal wire30cincludes at least one of, for example, a driving signal cable through which signals driving theCCD115, such as a timing signal outputted by an external apparatus, are transmitted to theCCD115, a power supply cable through which an external apparatus supplies power to theCCD115, a CCD driving cable through which required power, a timing signal, and the like are transmitted to theCCD115, and a video signal cable through which video signals outputted by theCCD115, such as image signals, are transmitted to an external apparatus.
• Further, the scopeconnector signal wire30a,the operationportion signal wire30b,and the insertionportion signal wire30ceach comprise a plurality of solid wires and a coaxial wire. Further, a composite cable includes several solid wires and a coaxial wire or a plurality of coaxial wires. According to the present embodiment, thecable wire29 is composed of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,the operationportion signal wire30b,and the insertionportion signal wire30c.Alternatively, thecable wire29 may be composed of one or two of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,the operationportion signal wire30b,and the insertionportion signal wire30c.
• The operationportion signal wire30bmay be connected to electric parts provided in the operation portion other than the image processing system switches. Further, the insertionportion signal wire30cmay be electrically connected to electric parts such as a light emitting device (for example, a LED) provided at the distal end of theinsertion portion108 to illuminate a subject.
• Cable wire connectors28a,28b,and28c(alternate long and two short dashes line in the figure) formed on a flexible circuit board in accordance with the present invention described below are connected to the distal ends of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30c,which corresponds to that end portion of thecable wire29.
• A plurality of solid wire pins23, a plurality ofcoaxial pins24, and asingle post pin25 are disposed around the inner periphery of thebase11 and serve as a connection member connecting to aconnection plug122 of aconnection cord121 from a signal processing device (in the present embodiment, the video processor106) serving as an external instrument. The solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, and thepost pin25 penetrate thecover member14 and theinsulator15 and are fixed to thecircuit board16. With theconnection plug122 coupled to theelectric connector10, the solid wire pins23,coaxial pins24, andpost pin25 projecting from a distal end surface of thecover member14 are inserted into a pin receiver provided in theconnection plug122, coupled to the inner periphery of thebase11. Thepost pin25 projects further toward the side to which theconnection plug122 of theconnection cord121 is coupled, than the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. Thus, if the operator's hand touches the interior of thebase11, the operator's hand touches thepost pin25 before touching the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. This makes it possible to release static electricity charged on the operator.
• The solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, and thepost pin25 are adhesively fixed to theinsulator15. The proximal ends of the solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, and thepost pin25 are inserted into respective through holes formed in thecircuit board16 and soldered to lands provided around the periphery of the through-holes.
• The solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are soldered to thecircuit board16 and extend proximally from thecircuit board16. Moreover, the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are inserted into the respective through holes formed in aconnector circuit board26 and soldered to the lands provided around the periphery of the through-holes.
• Although the configuration of theconnector circuit board26 will be described below in detail, theconnector circuit board26 has the through-holes as hole portions into which the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are inserted, the lands for soldering which are arranged around the respective through-holes, andconnectors27a,27b,27cin whichcable wire connectors28a,28b,28cprovided at distal ends of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30cof thecable wire29 are installed. Further, theconnector circuit board26 has the lands to which the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are soldered and connection patterns that electrically connect theconnectors27a,27b,27ctogether. In the present embodiment, thecable wire connectors28a,28b,and28care collectively called acable wire connector28. Theconnectors27a,27b,and27care collectively called aconnector27.
• That is, theelectric connector10 in accordance with the present embodiment mainly comprises the base11 to which theconnection plug122 is coupled, the plurality of solid wire pins23 andcoaxial pins24 provided through thecover member14,insulator15, andcircuit board16 in thebase11, theconnector circuit board26 having the through-holes through which the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are inserted, the lands provided around the periphery of the respective through-holes, and theconnectors27a,27b,27c,thecable connectors28a,28b,28cthat connect thecable wire29 to theconnector27 of theconnector circuit board26, theshield frame19 that covers theconnector circuit board26 and thecable wire connector28, and theshield cover20 provided on theshield frame19.
• The configuration of thebase11,cover member14,insulator15,circuit board16,shield frame19, and shieldcover20, and the like of theelectric connector10 may be the shape and configuration described above with reference toFIG. 11.
• Now, with reference toFIGS. 1,2,3A and3B, description will be given of theconnector circuit board26, provided in theelectric connector10 in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 2 is a plan view showing that the connector circuit board is mounted in the shield frame of the electric connector.FIG. 3A is a plan view of the front surface of the connector circuit board.FIG. 3B is a plan view of the back surface of the connector circuit board.
• As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, theconnector circuit board26 soldered to the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 is provided in theshield frame19 of theelectric connector10. Theconnector circuit board26 is formed of a single flexible circuit board and mainly comprises a generally circular firstcircuit board portion26a to which shield portions of the solid wire pins23 (not shown) and thecoaxial pins24 are connected, a generally circular secondcircuit board portion26bconnecting to theconnector27 in which thecable wire connector28, provided at the distal ends of thesignal wires30ato30cof thecable wire29, is installed and to core wire portions of thecoaxial pins24, and abendable portion26chaving a connection pattern (not shown) that electrically connects the firstcircuit board portion26ato the secondcircuit board portion26b,thebendable portion26cbeing bendable into a general U shape such that the firstcircuit board portion26alies opposite the secondcircuit board portion26b.Theconnector circuit board26 is disposed in theshield frame19 by being bent into a U shape at thebendable portion26cso that a front surface FS is located outside, whereas a back surface BS is located inside. The flexible circuit board is also called a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter also referred to as an FPC) and constructed by providing a conductor circuit on a film comprising a material such as polyimide which offers heat resistance and an insulating property.
• The configuration of theconnector circuit board26 will be described with reference toFIG. 3A andFIG. 3B. The firstcircuit board portion26aof the back surface of the connector circuit board26 (seeFIG. 3B) has solid wire pin lands52 comprising through-holes52aas hole portions into which the plurality of solid wire pins23 are inserted and lands52bprovided around the periphery of the respective through-holes52a. Further, the firstcircuit board portion26aof the back surface of theconnector circuit board26 has coaxial shield pin lands53 comprising through-holes53aas hole portions into which the shield portions of the plurality ofcoaxial pins24 are inserted and lands53beach provided around that part of the periphery of the corresponding through-hole53awhich is closer to the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26a.Moreover, the firstcircuit board portion26aof the back surface of theconnector circuit board26 is equipped with theconnector27ain which thecable wire connector28aof the scopeconnector signal wire30ais installed.
• Theconnector27a,in which thecable wire connector28ais installed, is mounted on the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26a.Further, the solid wire pin lands52 are mostly provided closer to the center of the firstcircuit board portion26aas shown by P1 to P19 in the figure. The coaxial shield pin lands53 are provided closer to the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26athan the solid wire pin lands52, provided closer to the center, as shown by P21 to P25 in the figure.
• The secondcircuit board portion26bof the back surface (seeFIG. 3B) of theconnector circuit board26 has coaxial core wire pin lands55 (P31 to P35 in the figure) comprising through-holes55aformed opposite the coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to P25 in the figure) of the firstcircuit board portion26aas hole portions into which the core wire portions of thecoaxial pins24 are inserted when theconnector circuit board26 is bent at thebendable portion26cso that the back surface of the secondcircuit board portion26blies opposite the back surface of the firstcircuit board portion26a,the coaxial core wire pin lands55 further comprisinglands55bprovided around the periphery of the respective through-holes55a.Further, ashield film54 is formed over the entire area of the secondcircuit board portion26bof the back surface of theconnector circuit board26 other than the areas in which the coaxial core wire pin lands55 are formed.Shield film54 is mainly intended to electromagnetically block the firstcircuit board portion26afrom the secondcircuit board portion26b.Theshield film54 extends from thebendable portion26cto a part of the firstcircuit board portion26aand is electrically connected to a ground potential pattern (not shown).
• On the other hand, the firstcircuit board portion26aof the front surface (seeFIG. 3A) of theconnector circuit board26 has solid wire pin lands52′ comprising holes52′athat are in communication with the through-holes52aof the corresponding solid wire pin lands52 (P1 to P19) on the back surface and lands52′bprovided around the periphery of therespective holes52′a.Further, the firstcircuit board portion26aof the front surface of theconnector circuit board26 hasholes53′athat are in communication with the through-holes53aof the corresponding coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to P25) on the back surface. The secondcircuit board portion26bof the front surface of theconnector circuit board26 hasholes55′athat are in communication with the through-holes55aof the corresponding coaxial core wire pin lands55 (P31 to P35) on the back surface and coaxial core wire pin lands55′ (P31 to P35) comprisinglands55′bprovided around the periphery of therespective holes55′a.
• Moreover, a central portion of the secondcircuit board portion26bof the front surface (seeFIG. 3A) of theconnector circuit board26 is equipped with theconnector27bin which thecable wire connector28bconnected to the operationportion signal wire30bof thecable wire29 is installed and theconnector27cin which thecable wire connector28cconnected to the insertionportion signal wire30cis installed.
• The secondcircuit board portion26bhas a notch formed in a portion thereof such that when theconnector circuit board26 is bent into a U shape so that the back surface of theboard26 lies inside, the notch overlaps theconnector27a,provided in the firstcircuit board portion26a.The notch in the secondcircuit board portion26bexposes theconnector27a,facilitating the installation of thecable wire connector28ain theconnector27a,mounted on the firstcircuit board portion26a.
• That is, when theconnector circuit board26, formed of a flexible circuit board, is bent at thebendable portion26cso that the firstcircuit board portion26aoverlaps the secondcircuit board portion26c,the connection members such as the solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24 which are mostly connected to the external instrument are connected to one surface side comprising the front surface of the firstcircuit board portion26aand the back surface of the secondcircuit board portion26b.The other surface side comprising the back surface of the firstcircuit board portion26aand the front surface of the secondcircuit board portion26bis equipped with theconnectors27a,27b,27c,in which thecable wire connectors28a,28b,28cconnected to thecable wire29 integrated into theuniversal cord110 of the electronic endoscope are installed.
• Theconnectors27ato27c,provided on the firstcircuit board portion26aof the back surface (seeFIG. 3B) of theconnector circuit board26 and on the secondcircuit board portion26bof the front surface (seeFIG. 3A) are connected, via connection patterns (not shown), to some of the solid wire pin lands52 (P1 to P19), coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to25), and coaxial core wire pin lands55 (P31 to P35), provided on theconnector circuit board26.
• According to the present embodiment, the following are only illustrative: the numbers of the solid wire pin lands52 (P1 to P19), coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to P25), and coaxial core wire pin lands55 (P31 to P35), provided on theconnector circuit board26, as well as the number of theconnectors27ato27c,provided in theconnector circuit board26. These numbers may be arbitrarily varied depending on the type, thickness, and number of thesignal wires30ato30c,contained in thecable29, the number of poles in theconnector27, and the like. Further, the following are only illustrative and may be varied: the number and positions of theconnectors27ato27c,provided in the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26, and the combination of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30cfor connection to theconnectors27ato27c.For example, depending on the type, and number of thesignal wires30ato30cof the scope connector, the operation portion and the insertion portion, contained in thecable29, the number of poles in theconnector27, and the like, only the twoconnectors27b,27cmay be provided in the secondcircuit board portion26bwithout providing theconnector27aon the firstcircuit board portion26a,or the threeconnectors27ato27cmay be provided in the secondcircuit board portion26b.If only the twoconnectors27b,27care provided in the secondcircuit board portion26bwithout providing theconnector27aon the firstcircuit board portion26aor the threeconnectors27ato27care provided in the secondcircuit board portion26b,no notch needs to be formed in the secondcircuit board portion26b.
• Now, with reference toFIG. 4, description will be given of the solid wire pins23 andcoaxial pins24, used in theelectric connector10 in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the relationship between the configuration of the solid wire pins and coaxial pins, used in the electric connector, and the connector circuit board.
• Each of the solid wire pins23 is a terminal comprising adistal end portion23a,anintermediate portion23b,a circuitboard fixing portion23c,and aterminal portion23d arranged in this order from the video processor106 (external instrument) side shown in the figure. Thedistal end portion23aextends through thecover member14 toward thevideo processor106. Coupling theconnection plug122 to theelectric connector10 causes thedistal end portion23ato be installed in a solid wire receiving plug in theconnection plug122. Theintermediate portion23bis inserted through theinsulator15 and is adhesively fixed in a water-tight manner. The circuitboard fixing portion23cis soldered to thecircuit board16. Thecircuit board16 and thesolid wire pin23 are soldered to each other at the circuitboard fixing portion23cto hold the positional relationship between theinsulator15 and thecircuit board16 and to electrically connect thesolid wire pin23 to the connection pattern provided on thecircuit board16. Theterminal portion23dis inserted into the through-hole52aof the corresponding solidwire pin land52 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 and then fixedly soldered to the correspondingland52b.
• Theterminal portion23d(shown as the electronic endoscope102 (operation portion109) side in the figure) of thesolid wire pin23 has a projectingportion23ewith an outer diameter appropriate for insertion into the through-hole52aof the corresponding solidwire pin land52 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26, and astep portion23fhaving an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through-hole52aand abutting against theland52b,provided around the periphery of the corresponding through-hole52a.That is, the projectingportion23eof theterminal portion23dis inserted into the through-hole52ain the solidwire pin land52 on the firstcircuit board portion26a.Thestep portion23fabuts against theland52baround the periphery of the through-hole52a.
• Each of thecoaxial pins24 comprises ashield portion41 that is a cylindrical external conductor serving as a second conductor, acylindrical insulator42 provided around the inner periphery of theshield portion41, and acore wire portion43 provided around the inner periphery ofinsulator42 and which is a cylindrical internal conductor serving as a first conductor.
• When theconnection plug122 is coupled to theelectric connector10, the shield wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug, provided in theconnection plug122, described above, is installed around the outer periphery of the distal end of the shield portion41 (shown as the video processor106 (external instrument) side in the figure). Further, at this time, the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug, provided in theconnection plug122, is inserted into a core wire insertion portion formed at the distal end of thecore wire portion43 in an axial direction.
• Theshield portion41, theinsulator42, and thecore wire portion43 are fixedly tightened from the outer periphery thereof by asupport member44 via an opening formed in theshield portion41 so as not to be misaligned with respect to one another. Theinsulator42, provided between theshield portion41 and thecore wire portion43, extends from the distal end side to substantially central portions of theshield portion41 andcore wire portion43. Asupport sleeve45 is provided at a proximal end of theinsulator42 around the outer periphery of thecore wire portion43 in order to maintain an appropriate distance between theshield portion41 and thecore wire portion43. Anelastic filler46 is filled between theshield portion41 and thecore wire portion43 at a proximal end of thesupport sleeve45. Theelastic filler46 closes the area between theshield portion41 and thecore wire portion43 so as to prevent water or the like from entering the interior of theelectric connector10.
• Theshield portion41,insulator42, andcore wire portion43 are not completely fixed by thesupport member44 but so as to prevent theinsulator42 and thecore wire portion43 from slipping off from theshield portion41 and to allow thecore wire portion43 to swing slightly with respect to theshield portion41. Moreover, theelastic filler46 is filled so as not to completely fix theshield portion41 but to allow thecore wire potion43 to swing.
• Thecore wire portion43 is fixed to theshield portion41 so as to be able to swing with respect to theshield portion41 because when theelectric connector10 is coupled to theconnection plug122, the completely fixedcore wire portion43 may cause the bending or breaking of the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug of theconnection plug122 for insertion into the distal end of thecore wire portion43. By allowing thecore wire portion43 to swing to absorb a force involved in the insertion of the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug of theconnection plug122, it is possible to avoid the bending or breaking of the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug.
• The thus configuredcoaxial pin24 is inserted through through-holes formed in thecover member14 and theinsulator15 and further through a through-hole formed in thecircuit board16. Thecoaxial pin24 is then soldered, with asolder16a,to the land provided around the periphery of the through-hole in thecircuit board16. Thecoaxial pin24 placed in the through-holes in thecover member14 and theinsulator15 is adhesively fixed to thecover member14 and theinsulator15 in order to keep the interior of theelectric connector10 water-tight.
• Moreover, theshield portion41 of thecoaxial pin24 is soldered to theland53bwith the terminal of the shield portion41 (shown as the electronic endoscope102 (operation potion109) side in the figure) placed in the through-hole53aof the corresponding coaxialshield pin land53 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26.
• Aterminal portion43a(shown as the electronic endoscope102 (operation portion109) side in the figure) of thecore wire portion43 of thecoaxial pin24 has a projectingportion43bwith an outer diameter appropriate for insertion into the through-hole55aof the corresponding coaxial corewire pin land55 on the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26, and astep portion43chaving an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through-hole55aand abutting against theland55b,provided around the periphery of the corresponding through-hole55a.That is, the projectingportion43bof theterminal portion43aof thecore wire portion43 is inserted into the through-hole55aof the corresponding coaxial corewire pin land55 on the secondcircuit board portion26b.Thestep portion43cthen abutted against theland55b,provided around the periphery of the corresponding through-hole55a.Theterminal portion43aof thecore wire portion43 of thecoaxial pin24 is soldered to the secondcircuit board portion26bwith the projectingportion43bplaced in the through-hole55aand thestep portion43cabutted against theland55b.
• With reference toFIG. 5, description will be given of the connections between theconnector circuit board26 and the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 which are configured as described above inside theelectric connector10. The solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are electrically connected to thecircuit board16 and to theconnector circuit board26 by soldering to mechanically fix together thecircuit board16 and the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 and to maintain appropriate distances between thecircuit board16 and each of the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26b.
• As described above with reference toFIG. 4, the circuitboard fixing portion23cof eachsolid wire pin23 extends to a position where the circuitboard fixing portion23cis fixedly soldered to the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26. However, as shown inFIG. 5, theelectric connector10 internally has asolid wire pin23′ having the same shape and configuration as those of thesolid wire pin23 and having a shorter length from thedistal end portion23ato thestep portion23fof theterminal portion23dthan thesolid wire pin23. The shortersolid wire pin23′ is mainly intended for electric connection to thecircuit board16 and for the maintenance of the position of thecircuit board16.
• The plurality of shorter solid wire pins23′ are provided in thecover member14 and theinsulator15 so thatstep portions23fofterminal portions23d′ are positioned at least at the same height t1 from theinsulator15. Each of the solid wire pins23′ is soldered to the corresponding land on thecircuit board16 with the projectingportion23e′ of theterminal portion23d′ placed in the through-hole formed in thecircuit board16 and with thestep portion23fabutted against the periphery of the through-hole in thecircuit board16. This maintains a given distance t1 between thecircuit board16 and theinsulator15 and electrically connects thecircuit board16 and the shortersolid wire pin23′ together according to the present embodiment. Thecircuit board16 has a connection pattern for connection to electronic parts mounted on thecircuit board16 and a ground potential pattern. The plurality of shorter solid wire pins23′ are electrically connected to the connection pattern or the ground potential pattern via the soldered land.
• On the other hand, the plurality of solid wire pins23 are provided in thecover member14 and theinsulator15 so that thestep portions23fofterminal portions23dof the solid wire pins23 are positioned at least at the same height t2 from thecircuit board16. Each of the solid wire pins23 is soldered to the firstcircuit board portion26awith the projectingportion23eof theterminal portion23dplaced in the through-hole52aof the corresponding solidwire pin land52 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 and with thestep portion23fabutted against theland52b,provided around the periphery of the corresponding through-hole52a.This maintains a given distance t2 between thecircuit board16 and the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 and electrically connects thecircuit board16 and the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26.
• The plurality ofcoaxial pins24 are provided in thecover member14 and theinsulator15 so that thestep portions43cofterminal portions43aof thecore wire portion43 of thecoaxial pins24 are positioned at least at the same height t3 from the firstcircuit board portion26aof thecircuit board26. Each of thecoaxial pins24 is soldered to the secondcircuit board portion26bwith the projectingportion43bof theterminal portion43aof thecore wire portion43 placed in the through-hole55aof the corresponding coaxial corewire pin land55 on the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 and with thestep portion43cabutted against theland55b,provided around the periphery of the corresponding through-hole55a.This maintains a given distance t3 between the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 and electrically connects the firstcircuit board portion26ato the secondcircuit board portion26b.
• The firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 is soldered to theterminal portions23dof the solid wire pins23 and to the terminal portions of theshield portions41 of thecoaxial pins24 with the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 inserted through the through-holes52aand53a,respectively, in the firstcircuit board portion26a.
• Thus, the step portions formed in the solid wire pins23 and23′ and thecoaxial pins24 provided in thecover member14 andinsulator15 in thebase11, are provided at the predetermined intervals. This makes it possible to mechanically maintain appropriate distances between thecircuit board16 and each of the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 and to electrically connect thecircuit board16, the firstcircuit board portion26a,and secondcircuit board portion26btogether. In general, dedicated holding members are used to fix the circuit boards together and to maintain appropriate distances between the circuit boards. However, the present invention makes it possible to fix thecircuit board16 and theconnector circuit board26 together, while maintaining the appropriate distance between the circuit boards, without using any dedicated holding member.
• When theconnector circuit board26 is fixedly soldered to the inside of thebase11 of theelectric connector10, with the base11 placed so that the solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, and thepost pin25 in the base11 lie perpendicular to a workbench, the pin lands52,53, and55 may be inserted around the perpendicularly extending solid wire pins23 andcoaxial pins24 so that the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26blie level to the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. This enables the two-dimensional operation of soldering the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 to theconnector circuit board26, increasing the efficiency of the soldering operation.
• Further, only theterminal portions43aof thecore wire portions43 of thecoaxial pins24 are connectively soldered to the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26. Consequently, the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 swings in conjunction with swinging of thecore wire portions24. This prevents swinging of the core wire positions43 from being hindered by the connection between thecore wire portions43 and the secondcircuit board portion26b.Thus, when theelectric connector10 is coupled to theconnection plug122, it is possible to avoid the bending or breaking of the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug by allowing thecore wire portions43 to swing to absorb a force involved in the insertion of the core wire portion of the coaxial receiving plug of theconnection plug122.
• Moreover, the solid wire pin lands52, coaxial shield pin lands53, and coaxial core wire pin lands55, provided on the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26, are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the first and secondcircuit board portions26a,26b.Thus, the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are fixedly soldered to the pin lands52,53,55 for the solid wires, the coaxial shields, and the coaxial core wires to enable the firstcircuit board portion26aand the secondcircuit board portion26bto be fixed together with the first and secondcircuit board portions26aand26bkept planar. This makes it possible to stabilize the maintenance of the appropriate distance between the firstcircuit board portion26aand the secondcircuit board portion26band the planar fixation of the first and secondcircuit board portions26aand26b.
• Moreover, the secondcircuit board portion26bhas the notch so as to, when theconnector circuit board26 is bent into a U shape at thebendable portion26c,prevent the possible interference such as the possible contact between the secondcircuit board portion26band theconnector27a,which is a part mounted on an inner surface of the U shape of the firstcircuit board portion26a.This allows the secondcircuit board portion26bto be shifted closer to the firstcircuit board portion26ato the same position as that of theconnector27aor a position lower than theconnector27a.This makes it possible to reduce that part of the relatively small space in theshield frame19 of theelectric connector10 which is occupied by theconnector circuit board26.
• If interference such as contact occurs between any part mounted on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 and the secondcircuit board portion26b,the distance between the firstcircuit board portion26aand the secondcircuit board portion26bmay be increased using thecoaxial pins24 having a varying dimension between the terminal of theshield portion41 and theterminal portion43aof thecore wire portion43 of thecoaxial pin24 depending on the height of the part mounted on the secondcircuit board portion26b.Alternatively, the overall height of theconnector circuit board26 may be reduced by installing the parts otherwise mounted on theconnector circuit board26 only on the secondcircuit board portion26bto decrease the distance between the firstcircuit board portion26aand the secondcircuit board portion26b.
• Now, with reference toFIGS. 6 to 9, description will be given of thecable wire connectors28a,28b,and28c,connected to the distal ends of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30c,which are arranged at an end portion of thecable wire29. In the present embodiment, thecable wire connectors28a,28b,and28care collectively called acable wire connector28.FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the cable wire connector provided at the distal end of the cable wire used in the electric connector.FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first variation of the cable wire connector.FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second variation of the cable wire connector.FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the connection of signal wires and the installation of the signal wires in the connector in accordance with the second variation of the cable wire connector.
• First, with reference toFIG. 6, description will be given of thecable wire connector28, connected to the distal end of thecable wire29.
• Thecable wire connector28 generally has a T shape comprising a cablewire connection portion28xformed of a flexible circuit board and shaped like a rectangle, the cablewire connection portion28xbeing located in the horizontal direction of the sheet of the drawing, and aconnection terminal portion28yextending in the vertical direction of the sheet of the drawing from a substantially central portion of the cablewire connection portion28x.
• The cablewire connection portion28xtwo-dimensionally has connection lands37ato37nand38ato38narranged in two longitudinal lines at substantially equal intervals and to which a plurality of electric wires are connected. In the present embodiment, the connection lands37ato37nand38ato38nare collectively called connection lands37 and38. The solid wires and coaxial wires of each of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,insertionportion signal wire30c,and the like of thecable wire29 are two-dimensionally soldered to the connection lands37 and38. For example, each of the solid wires is soldered to one of the connection lands37. The core wire of each of the coaxial wires is soldered to one of the connection lands37. The shield wire of the coaxial wire is soldered to one of the connection lands38.
• Each of the connection lands37,38 may have a through-hole serving as a hole portion for indexation and into which an electric wire is inserted, and a soldering land provided around the periphery of the through-hole, or may have only a land to which an electric wire is soldered, with no through-hole formed therein. The intervals of the individual connection lands37,38 provided on the cablewire connection portion28xis set to facilitate soldering connections in accordance with the types, thicknesses, or the like of the solid wires and the coaxial wires to be connected. Thus, the present embodiment facilitates the operation of connectively soldering thecable wire29 to thecable wire connector28 because the operation can be performed with thecable wire29 two-dimensionally placed with respect to thecable wire connector28.
• A generally I-shapedkerf40ais formed at one end portion of the cablewire connection portion28xin a longitudinal direction thereof by making a slit parallel to the end portion in the cablewire connection portion28x.A generally C-shapedkerf40bis formed at the other end portion of the cablewire connection portion28xalso by cutting into the cablewire connection portion28x.
• A groundingland36 is provided in a substantially central portion of the cablewire connection portion28xso that an integrated shield wire of a composite coaxial cable wire can be soldered to the groundingland36. The groundingland36 is connected, via agrounding lead wire36a,to an area of theelectric connector10 which has a grounding potential, for example, theshield frame19 or theshield cap20.
• The signal wires constituting thecable wire29 for use in the endoscope comprise solid wires and coaxial wires having relatively small line diameters. When thecable wires29 with a small line diameter are soldered to theconnection land37,38 on the cablewire connection portion28xof thecable wire connector28, a tensile force exerted on the vicinity of the soldered area of thecable wire29 is likely to break the solid wires or coaxial wires in thecable wire29. Among the electric wires constituting thecable wire29, the integrated shield is relatively thick and robust. Thus, soldering the integrated shield to the groundingland36 prevents a force from being exerted directly on the solid wires or coaxial wires in thecable wire29 even with a tensile force applied to thecable wire29. This makes thecable wire29 unlikely to be broken.
• Aterminal portion39 is formed at a distal end of theconnection terminal portion28yand comprises a plurality ofterminal pieces39aarranged at equal intervals and electrically connected to the connection lands37,38 via connection patterns (not shown). Theterminal portion39, provided in theconnection terminal portion28yand comprising the plurality ofterminal pieces39a,is shaped for insertion and installation in theconnector27, provided in theconnector circuit board26, described above.
• With a plurality of solid wires or coaxial wires constituting the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,or insertionportion signal wire30cof thecable wire29 connected to the connection lands37,38 on the cablewire connection portion28xof thecable wire connector28, the cablewire connection portion28xcan be held generally cylindrical by attaching the I-shapedkerf40aat one end portion of the cablewire connection portion28xto the C-shapedkerf40bat the other end portion of the cablewire connection portion28x.That is, thekerfs40a,40bconstitute a holding portion that holds the cablewire connection portion28xcylindrical.
• That is, theterminal portion39 of theconnection terminal portion28yis inserted and installed in theconnector27, provided in theconnector circuit board26 in theshield frame19 of theelectric connector10. The cablewire connection portion28xis then deformed into a cylindrical shape, which is held by the holding portion including the C- and I-shapedkerfs40a,40b.Thus, thecable wire connector28 having the connection lands37,38 arranged at large intervals can be accommodated in the small space in theshield frame19.
• Further, when theterminal portion39 of theconnection terminal portion28yis inserted into theconnector27, theconnection terminal portion28yis bent toward the inner periphery of the cylindrically deformed cablewire connection portion28x.This enables a reduction in the length of thecable wire connector28 placed inside theshield frame19, allowing thecable wire connector28 to be housed in the small space in theshield frame19.
• A first variation of thecable wire connector28 will be described with reference toFIG. 7.FIG. 7 shows that a30m composite cable having a plurality of coaxial wires is connected to acable wire connector28′ in accordance with the first variation. That is,FIG. 7 shows an integrated shield wire of the 30 m composite cable connected to a groundingland36′, shield wires of coaxial wires of the 30 m composite cable connected to the connection lands38′ato38′n,and core wires connected to connection lands37′ato37′n.
• Acable wire connector28′ is different from thecable wire connector28, described above with reference toFIG. 6, in the shape of thekerfs40a,40b,formed at the respective ends of the cablewire connection portion28xand constituting the holding portion, and in the shape of theterminal portion39, provided at the distal end of theconnection terminal portion28y.
• A T-shaped cut-inhole40′ais formed at one end of a cablewire connection portion28′xof acable wire connector28′ in accordance with the first variation. A hook-shapedportion40′bshaped generally like an isosceles triangle is formed at the other end of the cablewire connection portion28′xand has a connection piece provided on the bottom side of the triangular shape and having a predetermined width. The cablewire connection portion28′xcan be held generally cylindrical by inserting the isosceles triangular shape of the hookedportion40′binto a wider portion of a T-shaped cut-inhole40′aand setting the connection piece of the hookedportion40′bin a narrower portion of the T-shaped cut-inhole40′a.
• Further, a distal end of theconnection terminal portion28′yhas aterminal portion39′ comprising a plurality ofterminal pieces39′aand aguide piece39′bextending parallel to theterminal pieces39′a,serving as a guide portion. Theguide piece39′bis formed to be relatively narrower than the plurality ofterminal pieces39′a.When theterminal portion39′ is installed in theconnector27, theguide piece39′bis inserted into a guide piece receptacle formed in the connector27 (not shown) or extends along a guide piece guiding groove formed on the outside of a housing of theconnector27. The presence of theguide piece39′bprevents theterminal portion39′ from being mistakenly turned upside down to install in theconnector27 during installation.
• Moreover, although not shown, theconnection terminal portion28y,28y′, shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, is formed to be wider than theterminal portion39,39′, comprising the plurality ofterminal pieces39a,39a′. When theterminal portion39,39′yis appropriately installed in theconnector27 by theconnection terminal portion28y,28y′, the step portion between theconnection terminal portion28y,28y′ and theterminal portion39,39′yabuts against the surface of theconnector27. When theconnection terminal portion28y,28y′ is wider than theterminal portion39,39′, determining that theconnection terminal portion28y,28′yis abutted against the surface of theconnector27 allows the operator to recognize that theterminals portion39,39′ has been appropriately installed in theconnector27.
• Further, anindex39xis provided in the vicinity of theterminal portion39 of the surface of theconnection terminal portion28y,shown inFIG. 6, to indicate the position of the outside of the distal end of theconnector27 located when theterminal portion39 is appropriately installed in theconnector27. Theindex39xmakes it possible to prevent theterminal portion39 of thecable wire connector28 from being turned upside down when installed in theconnector27 and to check how theterminal portion39 is installed in theconnector27.
• In the above description, the core wires of solid or coaxial wires are connected to the connection lands37,37′ on thecable wire connector28,28′, shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 and the shield wires of coaxial wires are connected to the connection lands38,38′. However, changing the connection pattern of the connection lands37,37′38,38′ allows the core wires of solid or coaxial wires to be connected to the connection lands38,38′, while allowing the shield wires of coaxial wires to be connected to the connection lands37,37′. That is, the electric wires to be connected to the connection lands37,37′,38,38′ and the connection patterns are set in accordance with the type, thickness, and number of the solid and coaxial wires connected to thecable wire connectors28,28′. Further, the intervals appropriate for a soldering operation are set for the connection lands37,37′,38,38′ in accordance with the types and thickness of the solid and coaxial wires connected to the connection lands37,37′,38,38′.
• As described above, each of thecable wire connectors28,28′ is T-shaped and is formed of a flexible circuit board. The plurality of connection lands37,37′38,38′ are provided on the horizontally long planar cablewire connection portions28x,28′xat intervals that allow solid and coaxial wires to be easily soldered. Further, theterminal portions39,39′, comprising the plurality of relatively narrowterminal pieces39a,39′a,are provided in theconnection terminal portions28y,28′yconnected, via the connection patterns, to the connection lands37,37′,38,38′, provided on the cablewire connection portions28x,28′x.
• This allows the operation of soldering the plurality of solid and coaxial wires of thecable wire29 to the cablewire connection portions28x,28′xto be two-dimensionally performed easily. Further, when thecable wire connector28,28′ is connected to theconnector circuit board26 and accommodated in theshield frame19, the cablewire connection portion28x,28x′ and theconnection terminal portion28y,28y′ can be deformed for accommodation. This facilitates the operation of assembling theelectric connector10.
• Now, a second variation of thecable wire connector28 will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9. As shown inFIG. 8, acable wire connector28″ in accordance with a second variation is formed of a flexible circuit board like a general rectangle. Thecable wire connector28″ has a cable wire connection portion comprising connection lands37″ arranged in a substantially central portion at equal intervals and to which core wires of coaxial wires are connected and connection lands38″ to which shield wires of coaxial wires and solid wires are connected. Further, thecable wire connector28″ has arectangular slit40″ formed at a distal end thereof and serving as a locking portion and aterminal portion39″ extending from therectangular slit40″ and having a terminal piece. Furthermore, a cablewire fixing piece38″zextends from a proximal end of thecable wire connector28″.
• FIG. 8 shows an example in which theconnection land38″ is composed of aconnection land38″xcomprising three connection lands to which solid wires are connected and aconnection land38″ycomprising four connection lands to which shield wires of coaxial wires are connected.
• With reference toFIG. 9, description will be given of the state in which thecable wire connector28″ connects to a compositecoaxial cable30ncomprising threesolid wires30xand fourcoaxial wires30y.The threesolid wires30xof the compositecoaxial cable30nare soldered to the respective three connection lands of theconnection land38″x.The shield wires of the fourcoaxial wires30yare soldered to the respective four connection lands of theconnection land38″y.Moreover, the core wires of the fourcoaxial wires30yare soldered to the respective connection lands of theconnection land37″.
• Further, the compositecoaxial cable30nis fixed to the cablewire fixing piece38″zof thecable wire connector28″ via a heat-shrinkable tube38″t.
• Thus, when theterminal portion39″ of thecable wire connector28″ to which the plurality ofsolid wires30xandcoaxial wires30y,constituting the compositecoaxial cable30n,are connected is inserted into theconnector27 for connection, the outer periphery of theconnector27 is fitted into therectangular slit40″. This prevents thecable wire connector28″ from slipping out easily from theconnector27.
• Further, anindex39″xis provided in the vicinity of theterminal portion39″ of the surface of thecable wire connector28″ to indicate the position of the end portion of theconnector27 located when theterminal portion39″ is appropriately installed in theconnector27 down to a predetermined position. Theindex39″xmakes it possible to easily distinguish the front surface of thecable wire connector28″ from its back surface and to determine, after theterminal portion39″ is installed in theconnector27, whether or not theterminal portion39″ is appropriately installed in theconnector27.
• The number of the connection lands in theconnection land37″,38″ of thecable wire connector28″ in accordance with the second variation as well as the type of the wires connected to the connection lands are only illustrative. The number and the type are freely set in accordance with the type, thickness, and number of the wires constituting the compositecoaxial cable30nconnected to thecable wire connector28″.
• When the widthwise dimension of the general rectangle of thecable wire connector28″ in accordance with the second variation is equal to or smaller than, for example, the inner diameter of an armor of theuniversal cord110 or theinsertion portion108, thecable wire29 to which thecable wire connector28″ is connected can be pulled out from and then inserted back into theuniversal cord110 and theinsertion portion108. Thus, the operation of replacing the armor of theuniversal cord110 and theinsertion portion108 does not require the operation of disconnecting thecable wire connector28″ from thecable wire29 and then soldering thecable wire connector28″ back to thecable wire29 and can be performed simply by removing thecable wire connector28″ from theconnector27.
• Description will be given of a method of assembling theconnector circuit board26 and thecable wire connector28, provided on thecable wire29, to theelectric connector10, having the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24, described above.
• As described above with reference toFIG. 5, thebase11 has the plurality of solid wire pins23 with thestep portions23fprovided at the same height position and the plurality ofcoaxial pins24 with thestep portions43cprovided at the same height position, and is placed on the workbench so that the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 extend perpendicularly with the terminal portions of thepins23 and24 located above.
• The through-holes52aand53ain the solid wire and coaxial shield pin lands52 and53 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 with theconnectors27ato27cmounted thereon are inserted around the perpendicularly extending solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. The firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 with the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 placed therein is two-dimensionally installed on the plurality of solid wire pins23 by abutting against thestep portions23fthereof. When the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 are inserted into the through-holes52aand53ain the solid wire and coaxial shield pin lands52 and53 on the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26, the front surface (seeFIG. 3A) of theconnector circuit board26 is directed toward thecircuit board16 in thebase11.
• After the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 is installed on the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24, provided in thebase11, thelands52bare soldered to the solid wire pins23 placed in the through-holes52ain the solid wire pin lands52 (P1 to P19) in the central portion of the firstcircuit board portion26a.Once the solid wire pin lands52 and the solid wire pins23 are soldered together, thelands53bare soldered to theshield portions41 of thecoaxial pins24 placed in the through-holes53ain the coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to P25).
• That is, the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 is two-dimensionally installed with respect to the perpendicularly extending solid wire pins23 andcoaxial pins24. The operation of soldering the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 to the firstcircuit board portion26aof theconnector circuit board26 is a first circuit board-portion connecting step of sequentially soldering the solid wire pin lands52 provided in the central portion of the firstcircuit board portion26afrom the center toward outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26a(toward the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26a), and after all these solid wire pin lands52 are soldered, soldering the coaxial shield pin lands53 provided on the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26a.
• The first circuit board portion connecting step sequentially performs soldering from the pin lands provided in the center of the firstcircuit board portion26atoward those provided in the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26a.This facilitates the soldering operation to improve efficiency. In particular, since thelands53bof the coaxial shield pin lands53 are provided closer to the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26athan the through-holes53a,this allows the operation of soldering thelands53bto side surfaces of theshield portions41 of thecoaxial pins24 to be performed from the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26a,facilitating the operation of soldering thecoaxial pins24 to the coaxial shield pin lands53.
• After the first circuit board portion connecting step is executed to solder the solid wire pin lands52 (P1 to P19) and coaxial shield pin lands53 (P21 to P25) on the firstcircuit board portion26a,theconnector circuit board26 is bent so that the firstcircuit board portion26aand secondcircuit board portion26bon the back surface (seeFIG. 3B) of theconnector circuit board26 lie opposite each other. Thecore wire portions43 of thecoaxial pins24 connected to the coaxial shield pin lands53 on the firstcircuit board portion26aare thus inserted into the respective through-holes55ain the coaxial core wire pin lands55 (P31 to P35) on the secondcircuit board portion26b.The secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 with thecore wire portions43 of thecoaxial pins24 placed therein is two-dimensionally abutted against and then soldered to thestep portions43cof thecore wire portions43 of the plurality ofcoaxial pins24.
• That is, the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 is two-dimensionally installed with respect to the perpendicularly extendingcoaxial pins24. A second circuit board portion connecting step involves soldering the two-dimensionally installed secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 to the coaxial core wire pin lands55 provided on the outer periphery of the secondcircuit board portion26b.
• After the first and second circuit board portion connecting steps are executed to attach theconnector circuit board26 to the solid wire pins23 andcoaxial pins24, provided in thebase11, a cable wire connector installing step is executed to install thecable wire connectors28ato28cof the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30cof thecable wire29, in theconnectors27ato27c,respectively, as shown inFIG. 1. To be installed in theconnectors27ato27c,respectively, on theconnector circuit board26 thecable wire connectors28ato28care held deformed so as to be accommodated in theshield frame19. Subsequently, theshield frame19 is threadably fitted into thebase11, and theshield cap20 is attached to theshield frame19. Thecable wire29 is fixed by a cablewire fastening plate21. This completes the assembly of the parts to theelectric connector10.
• After thecable wire connectors28ato28care installed in theconnectors27ato27c,respectively, on theconnector circuit board26, thegrounding lead wire36aconnected to thecable wire connector28,28′, described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7 and comprising thecable wire connectors28ato28c,is threadably fixed to theshield cap20, located at the proximal end of theshield frame19. Fixing thegrounding lead wire36ato theshield cover20 electrically connects the shield pattern of thecable wire connectors28ato28cto the integrated shield of thecable wire29, which is a composite cable, thus enhancing the grounding state. This improves electromagnetic compatibility (hereinafter also referred to as EMC).
• As described above, the operation of assembling theelectric connector10 in accordance with the present embodiment involves two-dimensionally installing theconnector circuit board26 with respect to the base11 with the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 perpendicularly placed therein. This enables the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 to be two-dimensionally soldered to theconnector circuit board26. Thus, this operation is easier and offers higher working efficiency than the conventional three-dimensional operation of soldering thesolid wires155 and thecoaxial wires156 coaxially to the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154 for connection.
• Moreover, soldering of the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 to thelands52b,53b,located around the periphery of the through-holes52a,53ain the firstcircuit board portion26a,can be sequentially performed from the central portion toward outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26aor in order of the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. This facilitates the operation of soldering theconnector circuit board26 to the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24.
• In the above description, thelands53bof the coaxial shield pin lands53, formed on the firstcircuit board portion26aof the back surface (seeFIG. 3B) of theconnector circuit board26, are each provided on a part of the corresponding through-hole53awhich is closer to the outer edge of the firstcircuit board portion26a.However, theland53bmay be formed all along the periphery of the through-hole53a.
• Now, description will be given of the procedure of an operation of checking the electronic endoscope having theelectric connector10 for an electrical error occurring in the endoscope and repairing the defective component.
• To determine which component of the electronic endoscope is defective, the cablewire fastening plate21 and theshield cap20, which fasten thecable wire29, are removed and theshield frame19 is removed from thebase11. Then, thecable wire connectors28ato28c,provided on the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,and insertionportion signal wire30cof thecable wire29, are removed from theconnectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26.
• Thecable wire connectors28ato28cremoved from therespective connectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26 are connected to respective inspection jigs to perform inspections to determine which component is defective. For example, thecable wire connector28aconnected to the scopeconnector signal wire30ais connected to a jig that checks the transmission and reception status of dimming signals transmitted to and received from thelight source device103. Thecable wire connector28bconnected to the operationportion signal wire30bis connected to a jig that checks the transmission and reception status of switch signals transmitted to and received from the image processing system switches, which are electric parts provided on theoperation portion109. Thecable wire connector28cconnected to the insertionportion signal wire30cis connected to a jig that checks the performance and operation of the image pickup unit including theCCD115. This makes it possible to determine whether or not an error is occurring in each of the cable wire connectors and where the error is occurring. If theoperation portion109 has any electric part other than the image processing system switches which provides a predetermined function different from those of the switches, the operationportion signal line30bis connected to a jig that checks the performance and operation of the electric part to which the operationportion signal wire30bis connected. Further, if the distal end of theinsertion portion108 has any electric part other than the image pickup unit including theCCD115 which provides a predetermined function different from those of the image pickup unit, for example, an LED, the insertionportion signal line30cis connected to a jig that checks the performance and operation of the electric part to which the insertionportion signal wire30cis connected.
• The present embodiment thus eliminates the need for the complicated operation of disconnecting thesolid wires155 andcoaxial wires156 of thecable wire112 soldered to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in thebase131 and soldering the disconnectedsolid wires155 andcoaxial wires156 again to inspection jigs as described with reference toFIG. 11 for the prior art. The present embodiment requires only an easy operation of only connecting thecable wire connectors28ato28cremoved from theconnectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26 to inspection jigs.
• Further, theelectric connector10 with thecable wire connectors28ato28cremoved from theconnectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26 is checked for connections to the solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, and theconnector circuit board26. If any defect is found in any of the solid wire pins23 or thecoaxial pins24 or in the connection to any of the solid wire pins23, thecoaxial pins24, or theconnector circuit board26 and theconnector circuit board26 needs to be removed from the solid wire pins23 and the coaxial pins24. The removal operation can be easily achieved by performing an operation reverse to the assembly of theconnector circuit board26 described above.
• That is, first, removal is made of the solder connecting thelands55bof the coaxial core wire pin lands55 on the secondcircuit board portion26bof theconnector circuit board26 to thecore wire portions43 of thecoaxial pins24; the soldering operation is performed during the second circuit board portion connecting step for assembly. Thecore wire portions43 of thecoaxial pins24 are then removed from the through-holes55a.
• Then, removal is made of the solder connecting thelands53bof the coaxial shield pin lands53, provided on the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26a,to theshield portions41 of thecoaxial pins24; the soldering operation is performed during the first circuit board portion connecting step for assembly. Once the solder on the coaxial shield pin lands53 is removed, the solder connecting thelands52bof the solid wire pin lands52 on the firstcircuit board portion26ato the solid wire pins23 is sequentially removed from the solid wire pin lands52 on the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26atoward those in the central portion of the firstcircuit board portion26a.Thus, the operation can be more easily and efficiently performed by sequentially removing the solder from the pin lands arranged on the outer periphery of the firstcircuit board portion26ato those arranged in the central portion of the firstcircuit board portion26a.
• As described above, the present embodiment can provide an electric connector for an endoscope that makes it possible to simplify work operations such as the assembly, operation check, and repair of the electric connector to reduce the time required for the work operations, as well as the endoscope and a method for assembling the electric connector.
• That is, theelectric connector10 has theconnector circuit board26 having the surface to which the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24, connected to thevideo processor106, an external instrument, and serving as connection terminals, are connected and the surface comprising theconnector27 to and from which thecable wire connector28, connected to the end portion of the signal wire30 of thecable wire29 extending from the endoscope, is attached and removed. This enables the operation check and repair of the endoscope through a simple operation of only installing and removing thecable wire connector28. Further, when theconnector circuit board26 is assembled to theelectric connector10, the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 can be connected to theconnector circuit board26 by two-dimensionally holding theconnector circuit board26 with respect to the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 and sequentially soldering the solid wire pins23 and thecoaxial pins24 from those in the center of theconnector circuit board26 toward those on the outer periphery of theconnector circuit board26. This improves the efficiency of the operations of assembling and repairing theconnector circuit board26. Moreover, thecable wire29 extending from the endoscope can be connected to thecable wire connector28 by performing a soldering operation with thecable wire29 two-dimensionally placed with respect to thecable wire connector28. This improves the efficiency of the soldering operation.
• Further, in theelectric connector10 for the endoscope in accordance with the present embodiment, thecable wire connector28 for the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,insertionportion signal wire30c,and the like of thecable wire29 and the like as well as theconnector circuit board26, having theconnector27 to which thecable wire connector28 can be connected, are provided in thescope connector113 for theuniversal cord110 having a space that can be shielded and blocked by theshield frame19 and theshield cap20. This improves electromagnetic compatibility.
• Moreover, although thecable wire29 of the scopeconnector signal wire30a,operationportion signal wire30b,insertionportion signal wire30c,and the like swing in theuniversal cord110 in response to the operation of theoperation portion109 orinsertion portion108 of theelectronic endoscope102. However, the swing of thecable wire29 does not directly affect thecable wire connector28 and theconnector27 of theconnector circuit board26 because a part of thecable wire29 located in the vicinity of thecable wire connector28 is fixed to theshield cap20 via the cablewire fastening plate21. This makes it possible to avoid the possible inadvertent removal of thecable wire connector28 and the possible disconnection between thecable wire connector28 and the signal wire30.
• The above embodiment of the present invention has been described taking the case in which thevideo processor106, a signal processing device serving as an external instrument, is separated from thelight source device103. However, thevideo processor106, a signal processing device, and thelight source device103 may be integrated into an external instrument.
• Theelectronic endoscope102 using the conventionalelectric connector120, described with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, poses the following problems.
• To replace any part of theelectronic endoscope102 using the conventionalelectric connector120, for repair or the like, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154, and action required for the repair such as part replacement is then taken. Then, the end portion of thecable wire112 is connected again to the solid wire pins152 and the coaxial pins154.
• For example, if owing to inappropriate images, the image pickup unit, which provides functions for image pickup for theelectronic endoscope102 including theCCD115, is checked for operation, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120. Subsequently, thecable wire112 is connected to an inspection jig for the image pickup unit, which is then used to check the image pickup unit for operation and defects. If any defect is found in the image pickup unit, the defective part is replaced or repaired and thecable wire112 is connected back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120.
• Further, if the image processing system switches provided on theoperation portion109 are checked for defects, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120 as is the case with the above operation check on the image pickup unit. Subsequently, thecable wire112 is connected to an inspection jig for the switches, which is then user to check the switches for operation and defects. If any defect is found in any of the switches, the defective switch is replaced or repaired and thecable wire112 is connected back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120.
• Further, the need to replace the armor of theuniversal cord110 or the armor of theinsertion portion108 arises instead of part replacement or repair resulting from an electrical defect such as inappropriate images or a defective switch, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120.
• For example, if the armor of theuniversal cord110 degraded by temporal changes is replaced with a new one, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120. Thecable wire112 is then pulled out from theoperation portion109 side of theuniversal cord110. The pulled-outcable wire112 is inserted into the armor of the newuniversal cord110 and connected back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120.
• Further, if the armor of theinsertion portion108 degraded by temporal changes is replaced with a new one, thecable wire112 is disconnected from the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120. Thedisconnected cable wire112 is pulled out from theoperation portion109 side of the armor of theuniversal cord110. Thecable wire112 is further pulled out from the distal end side of theinsertion portion108 through the armors of theoperation portion109 and theinsertion portion108. Thecable wire112 pulled out from theoperation portion109 and theinsertion portion108 is inserted again through an armor of anew insertion portion108. Thecable wire112 is further inserted back through theoperation portion109 and theuniversal cord110 and then connected back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120.
• That is, if operation check, check for defects, or replacement and repair is performed on the image unit or switches of theelectronic endoscope102, connected to the conventionalelectric connector120 via thecable wire112, it is necessary to perform complicated, time-consuming work operations such as the disconnection of thecable wire112 connected to theelectric connector120, the connection of the disconnectedcable wire112 to an inspection jig, and the re-connection of thecable wire112 to theelectric connector120. Further, if the armor of theinsertion portion108 or theuniversal cord110 is replaced, it is also necessary to perform complicated, time-consuming work operations such as the disconnection of thecable wire112 connected to theelectric connector120, the pullout of the disconnectedcable wire112 from the armors of theuniversal cord110 and theinsertion portion108, the re-insertion of thecable wire112 into the armors of thenew insertion portion108 and theuniversal cord110, and the re-connection of thecable wire112 to theelectric connector120.
• Further, the plurality of solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120 are provided in a limited area and thus arranged at relatively small intervals. The small intervals among the solid wire pins152 and among thecoaxial pins154 make it difficult to perform the operation of disconnecting only thecable line112 connected to the image pickup unit, from the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154, or selectively disconnecting and then connecting only thecable wire112 connected to the switches from and back to the solid wire pins152 and the coaxial pins154. Thus, to check the image pickup unit or any of the switches for operation and defects, it is desirable to disconnect all thecable wires112 connected to theelectric connector120. Consequently, after the check for operation and defects, all thecable wires112 connected to the image pickup unit or the switches must be connected back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154, arranged at the small pin intervals. This requires a complicated operation.
• Moreover, the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120 are provided parallel to the axial direction of thebase131 and perpendicularly to thecover member138, theinsulator139, and thecircuit board141. Thus, to connect thecable wire112 to the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154, theelectric connector120 is installed so that the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154 lie perpendicularly to a level workbench. The distal end portion of thecable wire112 is connectively coaxially soldered to the perpendicularly extending solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154. That is, in the operation of connecting thecable wire112 to the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154, care needs to be always taken so as to prevent the situation in which thecable wire112 bends at a position close to the soldered part to come into contact with the adjacentsolid wire pin152 orcoaxial pin154 to prevent soldering ofother cable wires112, or a jig needs to be prepared which holds thecable wire112 so as to prevent thecable wire112 from being bent. Thus, much attention must be paid to the operation of connecting thecable wire112 to the plurality of solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154, requiring a long operation.
• Further, the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154 may be connectively soldered to thesolid wires155 andcoaxial wires156 of thecable wire112 via electronic parts such as diodes or resistors. In this case, care must be taken for the possible bending not only of thecable wire112 but also of leads of the electronic parts. This further makes the operation of connecting thecable wire112 to the plurality of solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 more complicated and time-consuming.
• Thus, the repair operation involves disconnecting the plurality of electric wires of thecable wire112 connected to the solid wire pins and coaxial pins arranged at the small intervals and then connecting the electric wires back to the solid wire pins and coaxial pins directly or via an electronic part; the repair operation itself is very complicated and must be carefully performed over time.
• Further, for checks for operation and defects described above, the insulating coating on the distal end of thecable wire112 is peeled off and soldered to an inspection jig in order to connect thecable wire112 to the inspection jig. The distal end of thecable wire112 that has already been checked for operation and defects using the inspection jig is disconnected to clear the connection to the inspection jig. The insulation coating is peeled off from the distal end of thecable wire112 disconnected from the inspection jig so as to allow the distal end to be connectively soldered back to the solid wire pins152 andcoaxial pins154 in theelectric connector120. Thus, the distal end of thecable wire112 is cut for every check for operation and defects, reducing the entire length of thecable wire112. The reduced length of thecable wire112 makes checks for operation and defects as well as a re-connection operation difficult and time-consuming.
• However, the electronic endoscope using theelectric connector10 in accordance with the first embodiment makes it possible to simplify work operations such as the disassembly and assembly of the electric connector and the operation check and repair of electric parts of the electronic endoscope. This enables a reduction in the time required for the work operations.
• For example, to disconnect theelectric connector10 from thecable wire29, thecable wire connectors28ato28care removed from theconnectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26. Further, to connect theelectric connector10 back to thecable wire29, thecable wire connectors28ato28care inserted into theconnectors27ato27con theconnector circuit board26. This enables the operation of checking electric parts such as the image pickup unit including theCCD115 and the image processing system switches to be performed without the need to disconnect thecable wire29. That is, it is unnecessary to perform the complicated operation of disconnecting thesolid wires155 andcoaxial wires156 of thecable wire112 soldered to the solid wire pins152 and thecoaxial pins154 and then soldering the disconnectedsolid wires155 andcoaxial wires156 back to thecable wire112 as is the case with the conventional technique, as described above with reference toFIG. 11. Thus, the electronic endoscope using theelectric connector10 in accordance with the first embodiment makes it possible to simplify the operation of checking the electric parts of the electronic endoscope for operation, enabling a reduction in the time required for work operations.
• Further, for example, to replace an electric part such as the image pickup unit including theCCD115 or any of the image processing system switches, the disconnection and re-connection between theelectric connector10 and thecable wire29 can be easily performed by inserting and removing the connector. Moreover, to replace an electric part, the following operation must be performed: thecable wire29 connected to that electric part is disconnected from thecable wire connector28, the electric part is repaired or replaced with a new one, and thecable wire29 is then connected back to thecable wire connector28. However, the operation of connecting thecable wire29 to thecable wire connector28 can be easily performed because soldering can be achieved with thecable wire29 two-dimensionally placed with respect to thecable wire connector28. Thus, the electronic endoscope using theelectric connector10 in accordance with the first embodiment makes it possible to simplify the operation of replacing the electric parts provided in the electronic endoscope, enabling a reduction in the time required for work operations.
• Further, even if any of the solid wire pins23,coaxial pins24, andconnector circuit board26 in theelectric connector10 becomes defective and theelectric connector10 thus needs to be repaired, theelectric connector10 can be easily disconnected from thecable wire29. This enables only theelectric connector10 to be disassembled and repaired without disconnecting thecable wire29.
• Therefore, the electronic endoscope using theelectric connector10 in accordance with the first embodiment can simplify work operations such as the assembly and disassembly of the electric connector, the operation check of electric parts of the electronic endoscope, and the repair of the electronic endoscope. This enables a reduction in the time required for the work operations.
• Furthermore, the present embodiment eliminates the need for a soldering operation when theelectric connector10 is disconnected from and then connected back to thecable wire29. This eliminates the need to cut the distal end of the cable wire for soldering for every check for operation and defects. This in turn prevents the cable wire from being shortened even with repeated checks for operation and defects. It thus becomes unnecessary to replace the cable wire which otherwise need not be replaced but which has been shortened as in the prior art.
Second Embodiment
• An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the appropriate drawings.FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the general configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus.FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the connection between an image pickup portion and an electric connector and signal wires. FIG.14 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connection member that connects the image pickup portion to the electric connector.FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view showing electric switches fixed to an operation portion.FIG. 16 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connection member that connects the electric switch to the electric connector.FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view illustrating the connection between the electric switch and the connection member.FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of a metal housing in which the connection member is housed.FIG. 19 is a partial sectional view showing how the connection member is housed in the metal housing.
• As shown inFIG. 12, anelectronic endoscope201 in accordance with the present embodiment has aninsertion potion202 which is inserted into the body cavity and which has animage pickup portion211 at a distal end portion thereof, anoperation portion206, auniversal cord207 that is a connection cable extending from theoperation portion206, and ascope connector208 as an endoscope connector portion provided at a proximal end portion of theuniversal cord207 for connection to anexternal instrument241. Theoperation portion206 has anoperation knob203 used to perform an operation for bending a bending portion at a distal end portion of theinsertion portion202, andelectric switches204 and205 used to operate theexternal instrument241, serving as an external apparatus. Further, thescope connector208 has anelectric connector242 that is an electric contact portion and that electrically connects theelectronic endoscope201 to theexternal instrument241.
• Theelectronic endoscope201 internally has a signal wire having one end connected to theelectric connector242 and the other end electrically connected to the image pickup portion211 (this signal wire is hereinafter referred to as an insertion portion signal wire), and a signal wire having one end connected to theelectric connector242 and the other end electrically connected to theelectric switches204 and205 (this signal wire is hereinafter referred to as an operation portion signal wire). In the embodiment of the present invention, the insertion portion signal wire and the operation portion signal wire are each divided into two pieces in the operation portion. The resulting two signal wires are each electrically connected to the appropriate parts via a connection member independent of the signal wire. The operation portion signal wires may be connected to another electric part provided in theoperation portion206 instead of theelectric switches204 and205.
• With reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, a detailed description will be given of the insertion potion signal wire, which connects theimage pickup portion211 to theelectric connector242.
• As shown inFIG. 13, theimage pickup portion211, located at adistal end portion209 of theinsertion portion202, has an objectiveoptical system212, a solid-stateimage pickup device213 disposed at an image forming position behind the objectiveoptical system212 and comprising a CCD or the like, and asignal processing circuit214 connected to the solid-stateimage pickup device213. Further, asignal wire215 that is a cable wire having one end connected to theimage pickup portion211 is placed in theinsertion portion202. Thesignal wire215 extends into theoperation portion206 with a flexible circuit board (hereinafter referred to as an FPC)216 connected to the other end of thesignal wire215. The FPC is composed of a film comprising a heat-resistant material, for example, polyimide, and a conductor circuit provided on the film. TheFPC216 has a linear conductor portion extending in direction in which theFPC216 is inserted into aconnector217 of aconnection member223. The conductor portion is electrically connected to a plurality of conductor wires in thesignal wire215. Theimage pickup portion211 has electronic or electric parts which provide a predetermined function, such as light emitting devices (for example, LEDs) that illuminate a subject. One end of thesignal wire215 may be connected to these electronic or electric parts.
• Asignal wire220 that is a cable wire having one end connected to theelectric connector242 is placed inside theuniversal cord207. Thesignal wire220 extends into theoperation portion206 with theFPC218 connected to the other end of thesignal wire220. TheFPC218 has a linear conductor portion extending in a direction in which theconnection member223 is inserted into aconnector222, described below. The conductor portion is electrically connected to a plurality of conductor wires in thesignal wire220.
• As shown inFIG. 14, aconnection member223 is located inside theoperation portion206 and equipped with aconnector217 to which theFPC216, provided at a proximal end of thesignal wire215, is connected and aconnector222 to which theFPC218, provided at a distal end of thesignal wire220, is connected. Theconnection portion223 is composed of an FPC having a circuit to which theconnectors217 and222 are electrically connected together. Further, theconnectors217 and222 have releasingmechanisms217aand222a,respectively.
• FPCs216 and218 are inserted into openings in theconnectors217 and222, respectively. The releasingmechanisms217aand222aare then placed in fixing positions to catch theFPCs216 and218. This operation allows thesignal wire215 to be connected to theimage pickup portion211 and thesignal wire220 to be connected to theelectric connector242 to be electrically connected together via theconnection member223. The insertion portion signal wire is composed of thesignal wire215, thesignal wire220, and theconnection member223.
• Further, to prevent the FPCs and the connectors from being incorrectly connected together, the fitting width between theconnector217 and theFPC216 to be inserted into theconnector217 is set different from that between theconnector222 and theFPC218 to be inserted into theconnector222.
• Now, with reference toFIGS. 12,13,15,16, and17, a detailed description will be given of the operation portion signal wire, which electrically connects theelectric switches204 and205 to theelectric connector242.
• In theendoscope201 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end of theinsertion portion202 is connected to a bottom surface of theoperation portion206, as shown inFIG. 12. Further, theuniversal cord207 is connected to one side surface of theoperation portion206 having a side in contact with the surface of theoperation portion206 to which theinsertion portion202 of theoperation portion206 is connected, the side surface also crossing the above surface of theoperation portion206 at right angles. Theelectric switch204 is disposed on a surface of theoperation portion206 which lies opposite the surface of theoperation portion206 to which theuniversal cord207 is connected. Theelectric switch205 is disposed on a surface of theoperation portion206 which lies opposite the surface of theoperation portion206 to which theinsertion portion202 is connected. Theoperation knob203 is provided on a right side surface of theoperation portion206 when the surface to which theinsertion portion202 is connected is defined as the bottom surface and when the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switch204 is viewed from the surface to which theuniversal cord207 is connected.
• As shown inFIG. 13, thesignal wire221, comprising two cable wires each having one end connected to theelectric connector242, is placed in theuniversal cord207. The other end of each of the twosignal wires221 is connected to theFPC219 and extends into theoperation portion206. TheFPC219 has acontact portion219afor connection to aconnector225 of aconnection member232 described below. Thecontact portion219ais electrically connected to a plurality of conductor wires of thesignal wire221.
• As shown inFIG. 15, the plurality ofelectric switches205 are projectively fixed to an armor member of theoperation portion206 in order to operate anexternal instrument241 such as a video processor. Further, anFPC228 is located in the vicinity of theelectric switches205 and has a planar portion substantially parallel to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switches205.Signal cables227 extending from theelectric switches205 into theoperation portion206 are soldered to theFPC228. TheFPC228 has an elongate extending portion at one end thereof which extends like a band. Acontact portion228ais provided at a distal end of the extending portion for connection to aconnector229 of theconnection member232 described below. Thecontact portion228ais disposed on a surface of theFPC228 which is opposite to the surface where theelectric switches205 are provided. The extending portion of theFPC228 is bent through 90° so that the surface of the extending portion having thecontact portion228alies substantially parallel and back to back to the surface of theoperation portion206 on which theelectric switch204 is provided. As shown inFIG. 15, the extending portion of theFPC228 is oriented to the inside of theoperation portion206, in the direction of theinsertion portion202 being connected. Furthermore, theFPC228 has a circuit that electrically connects thesignal cable227 to thecontact portion228a.
• Further, theelectric switch204 is projectively fixed to an armor member of theoperation portion206 in order to operate theexternal instrument241 such as a video processor. Inside theoperation portion206, theelectric switch204 is mounted directly on theFPC230, located substantially parallel to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switch204. Theelectric switch204 and theFPC230 are integrally fixed to the armor member of theoperation portion206. TheFPC230 has an elongate extending portion at one end which extends like a band. The extending portion has acontact portion230afor connection to aconnector231 of theconnection member232 described below. Thecontact portion230ais provided on the surface of theFPC230 on which theelectric switch204 is mounted. The extending portion of theFPC230 is bent through 90° so that the surface of the extending portion having thecontact portion230acrosses, at right angles, the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switch204 and the rear of the surface of the extending portion having thecontact portion230afaces the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switches205. Thus, as shown inFIG. 15, the extending portion of theFPC230 faces toward the interior of theoperation portion206 in the direction of theuniversal cord207 being connected. Furthermore, theFPC230 has a circuit that electrically connects theelectric switch204 to thecontact portion230a.
• On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 16, theconnection member232 which is composed of FPC on whichconnecters225,229 and231 are mounted are arranged inside the operation portion206: thecontact portion219aof theFPC219 is connected to theconnector225, thecontact portion228aof theFPC228 is connected to theconnector229, and thecontact portion230aof theFPC230 is connected to theconnector231. Theconnectors225,229, and231 have releasingmechanisms225a,229a,and23 la,respectively. Theconnection member232 hasrigid portions232aformed by sticking rigid plate-like members to the back surface of the respective areas of theconnection member232 on which theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted. Further, the areas of theconnection member232 other than therigid portions232acompriseflexible portions232b.Theconnection member232 can be bent at the points of theflexible portions232b.Bending theconnection member232 at the points of theflexible portions232bmakes it easy to dispose theconnection member232 folded into a predetermined shape, inside theoperation portion206.
• Furthermore, theconnection member232 has a circuit that electrically connects theconnectors225,229, and231 together. As shown inFIG. 16, according to the present embodiment, theconnection member232 has the three substantially rectangularrigid portions232a,which are connected together in series via theflexible portions232b.Theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted on the three respectiverigid portions232a.Theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted on theconnection member232 so that when theFPCs219,228, and230 are connected to the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, the surfaces of the contact portions of theFPCs219,228, and230 lie parallel to the surface of theconnection member232. Further, theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted so that the opening directions of the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231 are the same and orthogonal to the direction in which therigid portions232aare arranged. Theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted on theconnection member232 in order of theconnectors225,231,229 from the left as viewed from a direction opposite to the openings with the connection member placed so that the surface thereof with theconnectors225,229, and231 mounted thereon faces upward.
• As shown inFIG. 17, inside theoperation portion206, theFPCs219,228, and230 are inserted into the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, respectively, and the releasingmechanisms225a,229a,and231aare operated to catch theFPCs219,228, and230. This operation electrically connects theelectric switches204 and205 via theconnection member232 to thesignal lines221 connected to theelectric connector242. The operation portion signal line is composed of thesignal wire221, theFPCs228 and230, and theconnection member232.
• Now, with reference toFIG. 17, description will be given of a method of arranging theFPCs219,228, and230 inside theoperation portion206 when connecting theFPCs219,228, and230 to theconnection member232.
• First, theconnection member232 is temporarily placed inside theoperation portion206 so that the surface of theconnection member232 on which the connectors are mounted faces a direction opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203 and so that the openings of the mounted connectors face opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 to which theuniversal cord207 is connected.
• TheFPC219 is inserted into theconnector225 so that the surface of theFPC219 having thecontact portion219afaces opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203.
• Further, the extending portion of theFPC228 with the distal end of thecontact portion228athereof extending in the direction of theinsertion portion202 being connected is bent through 90° with the surface of theFPC228 having thecontact portion228alocated inside to direct the distal end of the extending portion in the direction of theuniversal cord207 being connected. Moreover, the extending portion of theFPC228 is twisted 90° so that the surface of theFPC228 having thecontact portion228afaces a direction opposite to that of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203. Subsequently, the extending portion of theFPC228 is bent back through 180° in the vicinity of thecontact portion228aso that the surface of theFPC228 having thecontact portion228ais located inside. Thus, the surface of theFPC228 having thecontact portion228alies opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203. Moreover, theconnection member232 is placed inside the portion of theFPC228 at which the extending portion thereof has been bent back through 180°. Thecontact portion228ais then inserted into theconnector229 with the extending portion of theFPC228 extending over and along the surface of theconnection member232 on which theconnector229 is not mounted, to the surface of theconnection member232 on which theconnector229 is mounted.
• The above operation allows theFPC228 to be inserted into theconnector229 with the surface of theFPC228 having thecontact portion228afacing the surface of the operation portion having theoperation knob203.
• Furthermore, the extending portion of theFPC230 with the distal end of thecontact portion230athereof extending toward the side of theoperation portion206 to which theuniversal cord207 is connected is twisted through 90° with the surface of theFPC230 having thecontact portion230afacing opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203. Subsequently, the extending portion of theFPC230 is bent back through 180° in the vicinity of thecontact portion230aso that the surface of theFPC230 having thecontact portion230ais located inside. Thus, the surface of theFPC230 having thecontact portion230afaces opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theoperation knob203. Moreover, theconnection member232 is placed inside the portion of theFPC230 at which the extending portion thereof has been bent back through 180°. Thecontact portion230ais then inserted into theconnector231 with the extending portion of theFPC230 extending over and along the surface of theconnection member232 on which theconnector231 is not mounted, to the surface of theconnection member232 on which theconnector231 is mounted.
• The above operation allows theFPC230 to be inserted into theconnector231 with the surface of theFPC230 having thecontact portion230afacing the surface of the operation portion having theoperation knob203.
• With the above method, inserting thecontact portions219a,228a,and230ainto the respective connectors enablesFPCs219,228, and230 to be untwisted when theconnection member232 is housed in ametal housing234 described below.
• The present embodiment makes the connections such that thecontact portions219a,228a,and230aface the surface of the connection member on which the connectors are mounted. However, each contact portion may be provided on the surface of the corresponding FPC opposite to that described above depending on the requirement for the connector.
• Further, as shown inFIG. 17, display portions TD1 and TD2 that displays characters or symbols (numbers1,2,3 inFIG. 17) indicating combinations of theconnectors225,229, and231 of theconnection member232 and the contact portions of theFPCs219,228, and230 are provided in the vicinity of the each connector and in the vicinity of each contact portion, respectively. The display makes it possible to visually easily confirm the state of the connections, enabling the prevention of the misconnection between each connector and the corresponding FPC.
• As shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, amember233 electrically connected to a ground terminal of the external instrument is located inside theoperation portion206. Themetal housing234 is fixed to themember233 using aconductive screw235. Thehousing234 is formed like a rectangular parallelepiped box by bending a metal plate. Further, an opening through which theconnection member232 is inserted and housed is provided in thehousing234 with a surface lying opposite to the surface of theoperation portion206 having theelectric switch204. Theconnection member232 with theFPCs219,228, and230 connected thereto is folded into a substantial Z shape at theflexible portions232band then inserted and housed in the opening. At this time, as shown inFIG. 18, theconnection member232 is folded with theconnectors229 and231 located inside the bent back portions and with theconnector225 facing the outward direction. As shown inFIG. 19, theconnection member232 is housed in the opening so that the opening direction of the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231 is the same as that of the opening formed in themetal housing234. Further, at this time,FPCs219,228, and230 are inserted into the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, respectively, with slight length allowances.
• Thus housing the connection member in the electrically grounded metal housing enables the connection portions of the signal wires to be shielded. This enables a reduction in noise radiated to the exterior from the signal wire connection portion, for which EMC measures have not hitherto been taken, and in external noise entering the signal wire connection portion.
• Further, as shown inFIG. 19, thebent FPCs219,228, and230 are inserted into the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, respectively, with length allowances. Thus, the force exerted by thebent FPCs219,228, and230 for restoration biases the distal end portions of theFPCs219,228, and230 in the direction in which theFPCs219,228, and230 are inserted into the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, respectively. This makes it difficult to pull out the distal end portions of theFPCs219,228, and230 from the openings in theconnectors225,229, and231, respectively.
• Further, the biasing force of theFPCs219,228, and230 acting toward the interior of thehousing234 causes theconnection member232 to be inserted until theconnection member232 abuts against the inner wall surface of the opening, for fixation. This makes it difficult to slip out theconnection member232 from thehousing234. Furthermore, theconnection member232 bent into a Z shape is pressed against the internal side wall surface of thehousing234 by the restoring force of the connection member itself. Thus, theconnection member232 is unlikely to slip out of thehousing234.
• Therefore, while the connecting portion of the signal wires by the conventional connectors are made reliable by means of fixture with an adhesive, for example, an epoxy-based adhesive, the present embodiment can achieve reliable connections without applying any adhesive. This enables a reduction in the time required for assembly and disassembly operations and in the number of tools required.
• Here, with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21, description will be given of a variation of theconnection member232 shown inFIG. 16.FIG. 20 is a plan view of aconnection member250.FIG. 21 is a partial sectional view showing how theconnection member250 is housed in themetal housing234.
• As shown inFIG. 20, theconnection member250 is composed of an FPC divided into two parts, aconnector mounting portion251 and an insulatingportion252, in a latitudinal direction by aslit254 which is substantially rectangular and which is formed along a central axis in a longitudinal direction. That is, theconnector mounting portion251 and the insulatingportion252, each of which is rectangular, are connected in parallel at the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction viaconnection portions253 formed at the opposite ends of the slid254.
• Theconnector mounting portion251 has a configuration equivalent to that of theconnection member232, shown inFIG. 16, and includes three substantially rectangularrigid portions251aconnected in series viaflexible portions251b.The threerigid portions251 a of theconnector mounting portion251 are equipped with theconnector225, to which thecontact portion219aof theFPC219 is connected, theconnector229, to which thecontact portion228aof theFPC228 is connected, and theconnector231, to which thecontact portion230aof theFPC230 is connected. Theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted so that the opening direction of the respective openings is orthogonal to the arranging direction of therigid portions232aand opposite to the insulatingportion252. Theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted on theconnection member250 in order of theconnectors225,231, and229 from the left as viewed from a direction opposite to the openings when the surface of theconnection member250 on which theconnectors225,231, and229 are mounted is set to face the upward direction.
• On the other hand, the insulatingportion252 is entirely flexible and is formed of polyimide, which constitutes FPC and offers an insulating property.
• As shown inFIG. 20, theconnection member250 is housed in thehousing234, provided in theoperation portion206 as described below. First, theconnection member250 is bent at theconnection portions253 so that the surface of theconnection member250 on which theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted is located inside. Subsequently, theconnection member250 is bent into a Z shape at theflexible portions251bso that the surface of theconnection member250 on which theconnector225 is mounted faces the surface of theconnection member250 on which theconnector231 is mounted, while the surface of theconnection member250 on which theconnector251 is mounted faces the outward direction. Theconnection member250 bent into a Z shape is inserted and housed in thehousing234 with theFPCs219,228, and230 being connected thereto.
• If theFPCs219,228, and230 are connected via theconnection member250 in accordance with the present variation, the surface of theconnection members250 on which theconnectors225,229, and231 are mounted is covered with an insulatingportion252, offering an insulating property, as shown inFIG. 20. That is, the insulatingportion252 is interposed between theconnector225 and theconnector231 and also the insulatingportion252 is interposed between theconnector229 and an inner peripheral surface of thehousing234. Thus, theconnection member250 in accordance with the variation electrically reliably insulates theconnector229 from theconnector231 and theconnector225 from thehousing234. This improves the reliability of theelectronic endoscope201. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to use separate members to electrically insulate theconnector229 from theconnector231 and theconnector225 from thehousing234. This enables a reduction in the number of the parts of theelectronic endoscope201 and in the number of assembly steps.
• Moreover, theconnection member250 in accordance with the present variation is bent at theconnection portions253 and then theconnection member250 bent into a Z shape is housed in thehousing234. Thus, theconnection member250 composed of the FPC attempts to expand in a direction in which theconnection member250 restores from the state where it is bent inside thehousing234. Consequently, theconnection member250 is pressed against the inner wall surface of thehousing234 and fixed to thehousing234 by the restoring force of the connection member itself. Thus, the present variation enables theconnection member250 to be fixed to the inside of thehousing234 without using any adhesive. This allows a reduction in the number of assembly steps.
• Further, for theconnection member250 in accordance with the present variation, it is only necessary that both the front and back surfaces of the insulatingportion252 are covered with an insulating material. For example, the insulatingportion252 may be composed of a copper foil, a conductive material, which is connected to a ground potential terminal of theconnector225,229, or231 and the opposite surfaces of which are covered with polyimide. The thus configuredconnection member250 makes it possible to electrically insulate theconnector225 from theconnector231 and theconnector229 from thehousing234 and to shield the connectors from one another. This improves electromagnetic compatibility.
• The electronic endoscope in accordance with the second embodiment exerts the following effects. To replace any parts of the electronic endoscope in accordance with the conventional art for repair or the like, it was necessary to disconnect the signal wire from the electric connector, take required action for the repair such as parts replacement, and then connect the signal wire back to the electric connector. However, according to the present embodiment, when theimage pickup portion211 including the CCD from theelectronic endoscope201 owing to, for example, defective images is desired to be removed, thesignal wire215 connected to theimage pickup portion211 can be removed from theelectronic endoscope201 by removing thesignal wire215 connected to theimage pickup portion211 from theconnector217 in theoperation portion206. Thus, the operation of removing theimage pickup portion211 from theelectronic endoscope201 does not require the disassembly of theelectric connector242 and can thus be easily performed in a short time.
• Further, when theelectric switch204 or205 is desired to be replaced from theelectronic endoscope201 owing to a defect in theswitch204 or205, removal of theelectric switch204 or205 from theelectronic endoscope201 can be achieved by removing theFPC228 or230 connected to theelectric switch204 or205, respectively, from theconnector229 or231, respectively, of theconnection member232. Thus, the operation of removing theelectric switch204 or205 from theelectronic endoscope201 does not require the disassembly of theelectric connector242 and can thus be easily performed in a short time.
• Moreover, there has been a tendency to reduce the size and weight of connectors for connection of the signal wires inside the electronic endoscope main body; for example, microconnectors have been often used for this purpose. Repeated installation and removal of small, light connectors is likely to reduce the force of the releasing mechanism required to fixedly catch the flexible circuit board. Thus, maintaining the reliability of connections of signal wires using connectors required the replacement of a connector having a releasing mechanism with a reduced fixation strength with a new one. For example, to replace a connector provided at an end of a signal wire, the signal wire to which the connector is connected must be removed from the electronic endoscope main body. To remove any signal wire from the electronic endoscope main body, it is necessary to perform the operation of pulling out the build-in parts including the signal wire in the universal cord and then disconnect the signal wire from the corresponding electric connector provided in the scope connector. Thus, the connector replacing operation disadvantageously required a long time and dedicated tools and jigs. However, according to the present embodiment, the connectors are provided on theindependent connection members223 and232, via which the signal wires are connected together. This enables any of the connectors to be replaced with a new one easily in a short time.
• More specifically, according to the present invention, if the releasing mechanism for any of the connectors to which the signal wires are fixedly connected exhibits a reduced fixation strength and that connector thus needs to be replaced with a new one, the connector replacing operation is finished by removing the connection member on which the connector to be replaced is mounted, and replacing it with a new one. Since the connection member is connected to each signal wire via the corresponding connector, the connection member can be removed by manually operating the releasing mechanism for the connector. Thus, the present embodiment makes it possible to manually perform the connector replacing operation conventionally required disassembling the scope connector and then removing solders without the need for tools. This enables the connector replacing operation to be completed in a shorter operation time and with fewer tools than the conventional art.
• Further, according to the present embodiment, the connectors are provided only on the independent connection member, preventing the signal wires from being affected by the repeated connector replacing operation, that is, the repeated replacement of the connection member. The conventional art required the cutting the distal ends of the signal wires to the same length for connector replacement. However, the present embodiment prevents the signal wires from being shortened in the connector replacement operation, eliminating the need to replace the entire signal wire, which is not the original replacement target.
• The above described endoscope is one embodiment of the electronic endoscope in accordance with the present invention. The specific contents of the embodiment can be changed without departing from the spirits of the present invention. For example, the following aspects are possible.
• According to the present embodiment, theFPCs216 and218 are provided at the one ends of thesignal wires215 and220, respectively, in order to connect thesignal wires215 and220 to theconnectors217 and222, respectively. However, the connection end of each signal wire may have the configuration only to be able to connect to the connector. For example, a rigid circuit board may be provided at the signal wire end or a cable may be used which is formed by bundling conductor wires into a band.
• Moreover, according to the present embodiment, thescope connector208 proximal ends of thesignal wires220 and221 are soldered directly to theelectric connector242. However, thesignal wires220 and221 may be freely installed in and removed from theelectric connector242 by providing FPCs at thescope connector208 side proximal ends similar to the distal ends and providing connectors on theelectric connector242. This configuration enables thesignal wires220 and221 to be more easily replaced in a shorter time than the conventional configuration.
• Further, according to the present embodiment, each of theconnection members223 and232 is configured such that the connectors are mounted on the FPC, a flexible circuit board. However, the connectors may be mounted on a rigid circuit board or provided at the opposite ends of a cable having a signal wire as long as the corresponding signal wires can be electrically connected.
• Furthermore, the present embodiment varies the fitting width between the FPC and the connector depending on the combination in order to prevent the possible misconnection between the FPC and the connector. However, possible mis-assembly can also be prevented by varying the thickness of the fitting portion between the FPC and the connector depending on the combination.
• Moreover, the present embodiment prevents the possible misconnection by clearly indicating the combinations with the characters or symbols in the vicinity of the connectors of the connection member and in the vicinity of the connection portions of FPCs. However, possible mis-combinations can also be prevented by using colors to clearly indicate the combinations.
• Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention referring to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and various changes and modifications thereof could be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. An electric connector for an endoscope provided on a connection cable extending from an operation portion of the endoscope, the electric connector electrically connecting a cable wire extending from the operation portion of the endoscope with an external instrument for use in combination with the endoscope, the electric connector comprising:

a circuit board having a connection member that is electrically connected to the external instrument and a connector to which a cable wire connector connected to an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.

2. The electric connector for the endoscope according toclaim 1, wherein a proximal end portion of the cable wire is electrically connected to a component provided in at least one of an insertion portion and the operation portion of the endoscope and having a predetermined function.

3. The electric connector for the endoscope according toclaim 2, wherein the circuit board has:

a first circuit board portion; and

a second circuit board portion, and

the circuit board further comprises a flexible circuit board that is bent so that the first circuit board portion and the second circuit board portion at least partly overlap each other as viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first circuit board portion.

4. The electric connector for the endoscope according toclaim 3, wherein the connection member at least partly comprises:

a first conductor that is inserted through a hole portion formed in the first circuit board portion and connected to the second circuit board portion; and

a second conductor that is located on substantially the same axis as that of the first conductor and connected to the first circuit board portion.

5. An endoscope having an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion, and a connection cable extending from the operation portion and provided with an electric connector for connection to an external instrument, the endoscope comprising:

a cable wire connector provided at an end portion of the cable wire extending from the operation portion and inserted through the connection cable; and

a circuit board having a connection member provided in the electric connector and electrically connected to the external instrument and a connector to which the cable wire connector is releasably connected.

6. The endoscope according toclaim 5, wherein a proximal end portion of the cable wire is electrically connected to a component provided in at least one of an insertion portion and the operation portion of the endoscope and having a predetermined function.

7. The endoscope according toclaim 6, wherein the cable wire connector has:

a cable wire connection portion to which the cable wire is electrically connected; and

a connection terminal portion that is releasably connected to the connector on the circuit board, and the cable wire connection portion and the connection terminal portion are integrally formed using a flexible circuit board.

8. The endoscope according toclaim 6, wherein the cable wire connector is formed substantially like a T shape, the cable wire connector has:

a cable wire connection portion on which connection lands to which a plurality of signal wires of the cable wire are connected are formed;

a connection terminal portion formed to extend substantially orthogonally from the cable wire connection portion and releasably connected to the connector on the circuit board; and

holding portions provided at opposite ends of the cable wire connection portion to hold the cable wire connection portion substantially cylindrical,

the cable wire connection portion, the connection terminal portion, and the holding portions are integrally formed using a flexible circuit board.

9. The endoscope according toclaim 7, wherein the connection terminal portion of the cable wire connector has a guide portion that guides a direction for connection to the connector on the circuit board.

10. The endoscope according toclaim 8, wherein the connection terminal portion of the cable wire connector has a guide portion that guides a direction for connection to the connector on the circuit board.

11. The endoscope according toclaim 6, wherein the cable wire connector is formed substantially like a rectangle,

the cable wire connector has:

a cable wire connection portion to which the cable wire is connected;

a connection terminal portion that is releasably connected to the connector on the circuit board; and

a locking portion formed around a periphery of the connection terminal portion, and

the cable wire connection portion, the connection terminal portion, and the locking portion are integrally formed using a flexible circuit board.

12. A method for assembling an electric connector which is provided on a connection cable extending from an operation portion of an endoscope and which comprises a first circuit board portion and a second circuit board portion and comprising a flexible circuit board bent so that the first circuit board portion and the second circuit board portion at least partly overlap each other as viewed from a direction orthogonal to a surface of the first circuit board portion, the circuit board having a connection member electrically connected to an external instrument and a connector to which a cable wire connector connected to an end portion of a cable wire extending from the operation portion of the endoscope is releasably connected, the method comprising:

a first circuit board portion connecting step of inserting the connection member into a hole portion formed in the first circuit board portion to connect the connection member to a land provided in a periphery of the hole portion of the first circuit board portion;

a second circuit board portion connecting step of bending the circuit board to insert the connection member projecting from the first circuit board portion into the hole portion formed in the second circuit board portion to connect the connection member to the land provided in the periphery of the hole portion of the second circuit board portion; and

a cable wire connector installing step of installing the cable wire connector in the connector of the circuit board.

13. The method for assembling an electric connector according toclaim 12, wherein in the first circuit board portion connecting step, the connection of the connection member to the land is performed first in a central portion of the circuit board portion and then in an outer edge portion of the first circuit board portion.

14. The method for assembling an electric connector according toclaim 12, wherein the connection member has a solid wire terminal member and a coaxial terminal member, and

in the first circuit board portion connecting step, the connection of the connection member to the land is performed by first connecting the solid wire terminal member to the land and then connecting the coaxial terminal member to the land.

15. An endoscope having an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and including an electric connector at a proximal end portion, the endoscope comprising:

a first cable wire having one end connected to the electric connector and extending into the operation portion;

a second cable wire having one end connected to an image pickup portion provided in the insertion portion or an electric switch provided on the operation portion, the second cable wire extending into the operation portion; and

a connection member to which the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire together are electrically and releasably connected.

16. The endoscope according toclaim 15, wherein the connection member is a flexible circuit board, and connectors to which the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire are connected is mounted on the flexible circuit board.

17. The endoscope according toclaim 16, wherein the flexible circuit board comprises rigid portions on which the connectors are mounted and a flexible portion provided between the rigid portions and exhibiting flexibility.

18. The endoscope according toclaim 16, wherein display portions displaying characters or symbols are provided in vicinity of the connectors on the connection member and in vicinity of the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire.

19. The endoscope according toclaim 16, wherein the connectors on the connection member and the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire which are connected to the respective connectors on the connection member have different fitting widths or different colors depending on a combination of the connector and the cable wire.

20. The endoscope according toclaim 16, wherein the connection member is located in a conductive housing.

21. The endoscope according toclaim 20, wherein the flexible circuit board is housed in the housing so that connection portions between the other ends of the first cable wire and the second cable wire and the connection member abut against an inner wall of the housing.

22. The endoscope according toclaim 16, wherein the connection member has an insulating portion formed of a material having a surface offering an electric insulating property.

23. An endoscope having an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and including an electric connector at a proximal end portion, the endoscope comprising:

a signal wire for insertion into the endoscope, the signal wire extending from the electric connector toward a distal end and comprising a cable wire and a connector to which an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.

Images